Harris speaks of ‘frustration’ at abortion laws amid Twitter campaign

Minister for Health Simon Harris has spoken of how the State's abortion laws "sadden and frustrate" him.

He was speaking as a series of tweets were posted , claming to be written by an Irish couple documenting their journey to Liverpool for a termination on Thursday .

In a series of messages posted on a Twitter account set up for the specific purpose of chronicling their trip, the couple say they took the decision to seek an abortion after their unborn child was diagnosed with Edwards’ syndrome- regarded as a fatal foetal abnormality.

The Irish couple, who do not disclose their identities but are tweeting from an account named Heartbroken&Punished, say the genetic condition, which causes heart defects and other side-effects, means their child may only survive for minutes or hours after birth.

According to the NHS website, about 1 in 12 babies born with Edwards’ syndrome survive beyond one year. Many are miscarried or stillborn, and about half of afflicted babies that survive birth die within two weeks.

Those behind the account, which goes by the handle @itstimetorepeal, say it is their second pregnancy, and that their first child was born with a genetic condition that requires full-time care.

They say they had to leave their child behind to be cared for at home while they travel by plane to Liverpool for the termination, which is not currently legislated for in Ireland.

An extract from one of the messages posted by Heartbroken&Punished reads: “We hope that this may enlighten those who do not want to listen or even allow the people of this country to decide for themselves.

“We hope that by documenting our experience [WE]may help those that may have been through something similar or may be unfortunate to do so in future.” They have posted photos from the airport and abortion clinic.

Speaking on Thursday, Minister for Health Simon Harris said "the Constitution in this country is clear" on the issue of terminations and referred to the deliberations of the Citizens Assembly, which is expected to report its findings on the topic next year.

However, voicing his own personal perspective, the Fine Gael TD described the current situation as "unsatisfactory".

“In relation to my own personal view on this situation I’ve described the constitutional situation as unacceptable, unsatisfactory. In relation to my own view as Minister for Health it greatly saddens and frustrates me that women in this country and their partners find themselves in this situation,” he said.

The Twitter account documenting the couple’s journey has garnered significant attention with over 3,000 followers since it went live last weekend.

It does not overtly claim affiliation to any specific pro-choice movement, but uses a for its avatar a ‘Repeal the 8th’ image- in reference to the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution which guarantees the right to life for the unborn.

It follows a similar campaign by two Irish women in August, who tweeted the account of Taoiseach Enda Kenny about their own journey to England to procure an abortion.