‘I won’t back vote for abortion on demand’ – Coveney

HOUSING Minister Simon Coveney would not support a referendum offering abortion on demand.

The minister said he is “uncomfortable” with some of the recommendations made by the Citizens’ Assembly.

It suggested that the Eighth Amendment should be repealed in favour of a liberal abortion regime that allowed for termination without reason.

Recognise

“I don’t support an approach that effectively facilitates abortion on demand in Ireland,” Mr Coveney said.

“That is not something I would vote for or support, but I also recognise that the status quo also needs to change.”

He said there were “very complex” issues involving women in crisis pregnancy and the State “needs to take a new and different approach”.

But he added that his views “would not be consistent with some of the recommendations the Citizens’ Assembly made”.