Abortion is a "basic human right" according to pro-abortion group, Abortion Reform, which today revealed legislation it has drafted on the basis of the 1992 X-case.
Today is the ninth anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling which permitted a 14-year-old girl, who became pregnant as a result of rape, to travel abroad.
Speaking at the publication of the Medical Treatment Bill, 2001, journalist Ms Emer O’Kelly insisted "nobody here today is anti-life" but said abortion was "an option deemed a basic human right in other countries", and Irish women and girls were being "abandoned" by the Irish State.
Should the new legislation be taken up by the Government, Ms O’Kelly claimed there "would be no more terminations than there are now", but instead the thousands of Irish women and girls who will continue to travel abroad for abortions would be cared for at home.
The new legislation, which the group said was "conservative", seeks to ensure access to abortion as an integral part of the health services where a "real and substantial risk" to the life of the mother exists, including threat of suicide.
However, it also contains a "conscientious objection" clause for doctors who prefer not to carry out such an operation. This provision, however, is tempered by a duty on all doctors to perform an abortion in an emergency situation where the mother’s life may be in danger.
Dr Juliet Bressan, said the introduction of the new legislation was important as "the law is extremely right-wing here".
She said "suicidal risk needs to be carefully evaluated in all women who present with suicidal ideation, including pregnant women. Mental health is as important as physical health in the treatment of pregnant Irish women and girls".
Ms Ivana Bacik (Reid Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin) called on the Government to "take up the challenge and adopt this Bill", which she described as "straightforward" and necessary to prevent future X and C-cases.
Meanwhile new pro-life group, the Mother and Child Campaign was launched today. The group, which consists of Youth Defence members, claims abortion is not necessary under any circumstances to save the life of a mother.
The group claims the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists found that 95 per cent of its members felt they could preserve the life of a pregnant woman without abortion.
The organisation said it was promised a referendum on the issue by the Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern in the last General Election, and is now calling on him to make a "firm declaration on the form of that referendum or indeed if even one will be held".
Group spokesman Mr Justin Barret told ireland.com today that "if the wording was correct", the Mother and Child Campaign would advocate a yes vote to ban abortion completely in Ireland.