The Aontú leader has said that the significant surge in abortions carried out in Ireland last year, compared with previous years, represents a “humanitarian crisis”.
He was speaking after the HSE confirmed that some 8,150 abortions were carried out last year. This represents a near 80% increase on the 2021 figures.
Speaking today, Deputy Tóibín said: “This is an heart breaking statistic. Over 8,000 unborn children in Ireland had their lives ended legally by the State last year. The number of abortions are so high that they are now significantly impacting on the birth rate of the country. This is having impact on many elements of Irish society. All we’ve seen from the government and some opposition parties on this issue in recent times is an ideological battle to increase access to abortion, and ultimately increase the number of abortions taking place across the country”.
Deputy Tóibín continued: “In the Committee on the 8th Amendment before the Referendum heard evidence that 85% of abortions are as a result of socio economic reasons. In truth many of the 8,150 abortions were austerity abortions. It seems evident to me that the surge in abortions emerging is related to the cost-of-living crisis. Across this country there are women having abortions because they feel they have no other choice – such is their economic situation. Indeed mothers who are homeless are currently giving birth every year. Yet the political establishment, even parties on the left refuse to recognise this, let alone provide economic supports to make women feel that they actually have a choice. Aontú has proposals to help pregnant women and mothers – including implementing child benefit payments before birth. We also tabled an amendment to the government’s counter motion on the eviction ban, seeking to extend the eviction ban in cases where the tenant is pregnant or has young children. The government voted against our amendment”.
“Leo Varadkar has recently said he wants to reduce Ireland’s abortion rate. These statistics show the government is seriously failing on this front. They are failing women, and they are failing children. Unborn children in this country are among the most vulnerable in our society. The Dáil even voted against a Bill brought forward by Aontú and Independents seeking pain relief for unborn babies prior to late term abortion. These statistics are heartbreaking”, concluded Tóibín.
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