Calls on government to heed Dr Peter Boylan calls regarding concerns with National Maternity Hospital deal
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith said that any hint of religious influence over the provision of abortion and sterilisation services in the new National Maternity Hospital would see a political backlash and would ignite the choice movement on the streets.
The TD has called on the government to heed to calls by Dr Peter Boylan, as well as several of the HSEsown board members, regarding outstanding concerns over the future ownership of the National Maternity Hospital.
The TD said that the government needed to now urgently allocate time this week in the Dáil for statements on the National Maternity Hospital before any decision is reached by the Cabinet.
She said: “If there is any hint of religious influence in the running and operation of the new National Maternity Hospital there will be a huge political backlash. The movement for choice will mobilise against any deal that would see any form of curtailment of abortion services in the National Maternity Hospital. The government and Minister for Health now need to come before the Dáil and make a statement on this matter.
“In the week where an astonishing attack on a woman’s right to choose is been made in the United States, it is breathtaking that our government can proceed when woman have so many concerns remaining on the ownership and services of the new National Maternity Hospital. The struggle for choice is never over and the leaked draft opinion on Roe Vs Wade in the US is another example of continuous attempts to push back against women’s gains.”