The Eighth Amendment is an Irish problem that needs an Irish solution, according to the former Master of the National Maternity Hospital Holles Street.
Dr Peter Boylan was speaking at the launch of the ‘Together For Yes’ campaign today.
More than 70 groups have joined forces to call for a yes vote in the upcoming abortion referendum.
Hundreds have gathered for the launch of the #Together4yes campaign to repeal the 8th amendment. pic.twitter.com/yZZA37Le93
— Kim Buckley (@KiiimBuckley) March 22, 2018
Groups involved include the National Women’s Council, Rape Crisis Network Ireland and the Union of Students in Ireland.
Dr Boylan says Irish women shouldn’t have to travel abroad to end a pregnancy.
He observed: "Our women are travelling outside the country - protected by the Constitution - to do something that is a criminal act in this country. We need really to face up to what's happening."
"[There's] also the fact that women are accessing pills, and taking them without any medical involvement... [that's] a cause for concern."
‘As a society we have stopped dropping our pregnant girls at the gates of the laundries and today we need to stop dropping them at the departure gates’ - Gerry Edwards #Together4Yes pic.twitter.com/71cVrYoxD3
— Kim Buckley (@KiiimBuckley) March 22, 2018
Yesterday, the bill to hold an abortion referendum passed all stages in the Dáil.
The bill is set to be debated in the Seanad next week, with ministers saying plans to hold a vote in May remain on track.
