THE LIFE INSTITUTE – a pro life organisation – has asked a number of election candidates what their views are on Ireland’s abortion legislation.

Though not all replied, it gives a snapshot of the attitudes towards abortion amongst some of the contenders.

The questions

The institute asked Independent, Fianna Fáil, Direct Democracy and Green candidates only (no Fine Gael or Labour candidates, as both parties were in coalition when the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act was signed into law) if they supported the following statements:

• Do you support the repeal of the legislation which permits abortion on suicide grounds, and support making Ireland a place where unborn children are legally protected and mothers get all necessary life-saving treatment in pregnancy?

• Will you oppose measures in the European Parliament which seek to liberalise Ireland’s abortion laws and support pro-life measures such as the One of Us campaign?

Out of 24 people, 10 hopefuls replied – all of whom said they support the Life Institute’s statements. Their full comments can be read here.

Those who replied include Independent Rónán Mullen, whose views on abortion are well known, as well as Marian Harkin, who said she does not support legislating for abortion on the grounds of suicide.

Diarmuid Flynn of Ballyhea, an Independent candidate, said that the issue is a national one and not a European one. That was echoed by Fianna Fáil’s Brian Crowley, who said that the issue is a national one that can only be altered by referendum.

The institute also has published a list of what it says are pro-life local elections candidates.

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