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

 

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

 

Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice
Friday 21^st December 2012

BACIK WELCOMES PASSAGE THROUGH DAIL OF BILL TO LEGALISE HUMANIST WEDDINGS

“Humanists have become a voice for the non-religious who are, in the most recent 2011 CSO figures, the largest belief group in Ireland after Roman Catholics. This Bill represents a way for us to show that we are inclusive of those increasing numbers in our society who do not share the faith of the majority, and that we respect their values and belief-systems just as we respect those of the many persons who are members of established religious churches.”

“I hope that the bill can now be commenced without any further delay and look forward to the first celebration of legal Humanist wedding ceremonies early in the new year 2013.”

ENDS
 

Senator Ivana Bacik today expressed a strong welcome for the Government announcement that legislation and regulations would be introduced in the new year to implement the X case decision, following the Expert Group report on how to comply with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the ABC case.

“Following the ABC case judgment two years ago, when the European Court ruled that we must have greater clarity in our law concerning the implementation of the X case test, it was always clear that the best way to do this would be through passing legislation to ensure that the right to a life-saving abortion is put into effect. I am delighted that the Government has finally committed to introducing legislation now, as Labour has recommended for some years, to provide clarity about the conditions under which the X case judgment may be implemented by doctors.

“The tragic death of Savita Halappanavar has emphasised the need for this legislation. I urge the Government to proceed to draft and introduce the bill without any further delay and once again greatly welcome this decision. We must act swiftly to ensure that pregnant women have access to necessary life-saving medical treatment. We have waited 20 years for this law – it is long overdue.”

ENDS