Ivana Bacik

Labour Senator for Dublin University
Wednesday 1^st May 2013

SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES CABINET AGREEMENT ON ABORTION LEGISLATION

Senator Ivana Bacik today welcomed the publication of the heads of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, which will implement the X case and ensure compliance with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the December 2010 ABC case.

Senator Bacik said:

“The European Court ruled in the ABC case that we must have greater clarity in our abortion law, and that we must provide an ‘effective and accessible’ procedure whereby the right to a life-saving abortion is put into effect. The legislation that we have now seen published as heads of a bill will provide such a procedure and will give greater clarity in our law for women and doctors. It has been drafted in a realistic manner which complies with our obligations to women both under the X case and under the ECHR judgment. I am glad that we are finally facing up to our responsibilities as legislators on this pressing issue.”

ENDS

Ivana Bacik, Leader Labour Party group, Seanad Eireann
Eoin Holmes, Labour Candidate, Meath East By-election

Tuesday 19th March 2013

LABOUR PUBLISHES MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL

In line with its commitment to introducing full marriage equality, the Labour Party has today published a Bill to amend the Civil Registration Act to remove the statutory obstacle barring gay and lesbian couples from marrying.

The Civil Registration (Marriage Equality) Bill 2013 was launched today in Ashbourne by Labour’s Meath East by election candidate, Cllr Eoin Holmes, and the Leader of the Labour Party group in Seanad Eireann, Senator Ivana Bacik.

The Bill will remove a specific reference to gender from the legislation that facilitates civil marriages. Current laws require that couples are of the opposite sex.

Speaking about the Bill, Senator Bacik commented, "This simple amendment to the Civil Registration Act will remove the statutory bar which prevents same sex couples getting married. It will make it easier to achieve equality for same sex couples with opposite sex couples in availing of civil marriages. With the Constitutional Convention considering the issue of marriage equality in April, this Bill provides a simple method for removing the statutory obstacle so as to help enabling that to be achieved.

"Allowing same sex marriage is a core Labour principle. We are proud to be pioneering this legislation, just as Labour was to the fore in the decriminalisation of homosexuality over 20 years ago and by pushing for civil unions in advance of the introduction of civil partnership in 2010.

"As recently as last week Labour also introduced an amendment to the Employment Equality Act, to ensure that religious-run, or controlled, schools or hospitals, can no longer opt out of anti-discrimination laws. This will act as an important safeguard for LGBT employees, single parents, and others who currently face potential discrimination."

Cllr Eoin Holmes added, "Gay and lesbian people in Ireland have been to the fore in bringing about social change through their courage in coming forward and being true to themselves.

"I am encouraging people in Meath East to vote for a more modem, liberal, and tolerant Ireland by giving their support to the Labour Party. By publishing this Bill in Ashbourne we are demonstrating to voters Labour’s commitment to use our position in Government to bring about a better and fairer society for all Irish people."

ENDS