- Opinion
- 18 Aug 16
The Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has said he would not vote to repeal the Eight Amendment. In a wide-ranging interview in the new issue of Hot Press, he said he is not in favour of changing the constitution to allow abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities or rape, as “there are ways of dealing with” those issues under our current legal system.
Speaking to Jason O'Toole, he said: “Well, certainly the life of the mother must be protected at all times and have equal rights to the life of the child. I believe the laws and the way we are in this country are supportive of that. I don’t think there’s any need in changing the laws or going any further."
“There was a case up in Galway there with a lady and, I believe, there was law in our country to ensure that that woman shouldn’t have died. That’s my views and that’s it.”
He adds: “I’m not so sure that those problems can’t be dealt with in Ireland, because I believe the medical people can deal with those things if there’s something very serious. That’s my understanding – that they can already deal with these situations here. Maybe I can’t make an informed decision – but, as it is, I’m against any change to the Eighth Amendment.”
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