MINSTER OF STATE Lucinda Creighton has called for a ‘rational and respectful debate’ over the abortion issue.
Speaking to Morning Ireland, the Fine Gael deputy said the abortion debate is “traditionally very emotive in this country”.
She was responding to a question about letters – described in today’s Irish Examiner as “vicious, personal and horrific” – she has received recently from both pro-choice and pro-life sides.
“I don’t think that I am in any sense unique,” she said. “I think, unfortunately, that is a part of political life at the moment.”
Creighton believes that Ireland is “preparing and bracing ourselves for what is going to be a sensitive debate in the first part of this year”.
“From my point of view, and that of my colleagues, we would like to see a rational debate and one that is respectful of people’s opinions and respectful of people you may disagree with at times.
That, I think, has been absent in the debate so far and I hope that will change as the weeks go by and as we face into this very important decision-making process.
During her interview with the Irish Examiner, the Dublin South East TD said she was glad she was bound by a whip on any possible Oireachtas vote on the issue.
She has previously voiced concerns about the ‘grey area’ of using a risk of suicide as grounds for a legal termination in Ireland.
The Government is currently preparing legislation to give effect to the X Case ruling from 1992 following a report from an Expert Group on Ireland’s abortion laws.
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