Click here to email your TDs quickly using this fantastic tool from ‘Who is my TD?’ – Simply copy and paste our template email (below), and let your elected representatives know how you’d like them to represent you on this issue.
Dear Deputy [INSERT NAME],
I welcome the commitment of the Government to introduce legislation to allow abortion where there is a real and substantial risk to the women.
The Minister for Health James Reilly must as a matter of urgency see that this legislation and that the recommendations made following the inquest in to the death of Savita Halappanavar are enacted and implemented – Women in Ireland deserve nothing less. Pregnant women and their doctors should not be left in this legal nightmare.
However, any legislation concerning this must be drafted in a way that is woman-centred and ensures that those who are constitutionally entitled to have an abortion can practically access it. Proposals suggesting that six psychiatrists are needed to approve abortion for a suicidal woman are cruel and impractical. I believe this is a decision between a woman and her doctor. Where a second opinion is needed, no more than two medical professionals should be involved in assessment. This legislation will be meaningless if women with life threatening conditions are compelled to jump through an endless series of hoops and interviews with multiple panels of psychiatrists. It will merely act as a barrier to women receiving necessary health care.
I am asking you as my public representative to ensure that this legislation is humane; in enacted before the summer and decriminalises abortion where there is a risk to the life of a woman including that of suicide.
Yours,
[INSERT NAME]
Dear Deputy Heydon,
I welcome the commitment of the Government to introduce legislation to allow abortion where there is a real and substantial risk to the women.
The Minister for Health James Reilly must as a matter of urgency see that this legislation and that the recommendations made following the inquest in to the death of Savita Halappanavar are enacted and implemented – Women in Ireland deserve nothing less. Pregnant women and their doctors should not be left in this legal nightmare.
However, any legislation concerning this must be drafted in a way that is woman-centred and ensures that those who are constitutionally entitled to have an abortion can practically access it. Proposals suggesting that six psychiatrists are needed to approve abortion for a suicidal woman are cruel and impractical. As someone who has studied in the mental health field, I am extremely shocked and disappointed to hear of this proposal as in my opinion, it lacks compassion and is nothing more than a vicious form of interrogation. I believe that this kind of a decision should strictly be between a woman and her doctor. Where a second opinion is needed, no more than two medical professionals should be involved in assessment. This legislation will be meaningless if women with life threatening conditions are compelled to jump through an endless series of hoops and interviews with multiple panels of psychiatrists. It will merely act as a barrier to women receiving necessary health care and is a complete violation of human rights.
I am asking you as my public representative to ensure that this legislation is humane; in enacted before the summer and decriminalises abortion where there is a risk to the life of a woman including that of suicide.
Yours,
Ciara James
– See more at: https://secretweb1337tbh.abortionrightscampaign.ie/2013/04/22/suicidal-women-should-have-to-see-no-more-that-two-doctors/#sthash.hpkUGmeA.dpuf
Here is my (slightly different) version, that may be useful to some:
Dear Deputy Ring,
I very much welcome the Government’s commitment to introduce legislation to allow abortion where there is a real and substantial risk to the woman.
This legislation, and the recommendations made following the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar, must be acted upon and implemented immediately. Pregnant women and their doctors must not be left in this legal nightmare.
However, any such legislation must be drafted in a way that is humane and ensures that those who are constitutionally entitled to have an abortion can practically access it. Having a suicidal woman face a panel of three to six psychiatrists (as reports suggest) would amount to an inquisition. This legislation will be meaningless if women with life threatening conditions are compelled to undergo agonising interrogations by multiple psychiatrists. It will solely act as a barrier to women receiving necessary health care. After all, this legislation is merely there to provide abortion services for those unable to travel – implying considerable physical or emotional ill-health – and thereby entitling those women to particular care and compassion.
I believe it is a woman’s right to decide what level of risk to her life she finds acceptable. This legislation must allow doctors to consider the wishes of their patients without fear of criminalisation if they do so (as in the case of Savita).
I am asking you as my public representative to ensure that this legislation is humane, enacted before the summer and that it decriminalises abortion where there is a risk to the life of a woman including that of suicide.
Yours,
Sabine Hiller