REACTION:THE GOVERNMENT could no longer ignore Irish women's human rights, the chief executive of the Irish Family Planning Association has said.
Niall Behan, describing the European judgment as “very significant and a landmark for Irish women”, called on the Government “now to respond to it”.
“The very considered and clear view of the European Court of Human Rights leaves no option available to the Irish State other than to legislate for abortion cases where a woman’s life is at risk.”
Asked whether this would now open another long, acrimonious debate about abortion, he said there was no need for debate. “The court was very clear about what the Government needs to do now. It needs to legislate in line with the X case . . . As a first and immediate step we are calling on the Government to set out how it intends to address today’s judgment.”
Julie Kay, lead legal counsel for the three women at the centre of the ruling, said the European Court had recognised “the Irish State has turned a blind eye to the suffering of Irish women trying to access abortion services”.
“We are hopeful that no other Irish woman should have to endure the uncertainty, humiliation and distress that Applicant C did when faced with a threat to her life and health.”
Mark Kelly, director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, said the Irish State’s failure to protect women’s rights had been “clearly exposed”.
Senator Ivana Bacik, a pro-choice campaigner, said Applicant C in the case should have been entitled to an abortion here, under the terms of the X case judgment. “I very much welcome the [European] ruling and urge the Government to introduce legislation now.”
The Institute of Obstetricians Gynaecologists said it would carefully examine the judgment and consider any legal implications.
