The leader of the Labour Party today accused the Government and the Pro-Life movement of deliberately misinforming the electorate over the abortion referendum.
Speaking at the launch of his party’s campaign for a No vote in Cork, Mr Ruairí Quinn claimed the public were being misled about the issues being voted on.
Mr Quinn claimed the Government was attempting to polarise the electorate into pro- and anti-abortion camps.
But, he said, the core of the question was whether or not the Irish people wish to "roll back" the X case judgement by the Supreme Court in 1992 on allowing a suicidal rape victim have an abortion in this country.
"People should not be scared into believing that they should turn their backs on women like Miss X because they are being told that if they do not do so we will have abortion on demand," he said. "It is not true."
"There will be no additional circumstances, even in hard cases like rape or incest, when abortion will be available. If any Government wishes to change the law even to deal with these human tragedies they will have to consult the people again."
He called on the Government and pro-Life movement to "come clean" and admit the issue was about whether or not women who were in danger because of suicidal tendencies should receive the same protection as those in physical danger.
"Stop shifting the goalposts, stop scare-mongering and have the courage to fight the campaign on its merits," he challenged.