McLoughlin is third TD to want to keep the Eighth

FINE Gael T.D. Tony McLoughlin has declared himself in favour of keeping the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution which protects the right to life of the unborn equally with that of the mother.

“I believe that humanity in all its forms should be nurtured and protected and because of my deep concerns with this report and with the prospect of abortions being allowed on demand for up to twelve weeks as being proposed in this report, I will be voting to maintain the Eighth Amendment in the May referendum,” he said in a statement released last Wednesday.

Deputy McLoughlin, like many other Fine Gael TDs and Senators, has difficulty with the Oireachtas Committee’s recommendation that there should be unrestricted access to abortion up to 12 weeks gestation.

“Having read the Joint Committee Report on the Eighth Amendment and given it careful consideration with my close family and constituents, I wish to state that I am not in favour of its findings and that I have serious reservations about the twelve week recommendation contained within,” he said.

“For me the question of asking when human life begins is a philosophical argument in my opinion and it is one of the key reasons why I cannot support it.

“I also believe that there are serious implications in legislation for abortion on request up to three months and that we could open ourselves up to unforeseen consequences in this regard.

“This decision has been a very hard and difficult decision to come to, and ultimately it is only my own personal opinion on the issue,” he said.

He supports holding a referendum on the issue however.

The Assistant Fine Gael Party Whip reiterated that he was “a strong believer in the role of democracy in our society and I entirely support the people of Ireland having their say on complex issues such as the Eighth Amendment.”

“This is why I am fully in favour of having a referendum on this issue and I will be voting in favour of this when it comes before me over the coming weeks.

“I believe that after a long period of time, it is now up to the people of Ireland to ultimately to have their say on what is a very personal, sensitive and divisive issue in our country.

“I am not seeking to influence anyone’s thoughts on the Eighth Amendment with this statement. I am merely stating my honest and humble opinion as a public representative is expected to do during referendums.

“I have enormous respect for women. I have the privilege of being a husband and a proud father and being pro-life is central to my own personal family beliefs,” he said.

Deputy McLoughlin is now the third Sligo/Leitrim TD to declare themselves against repealing the 8th Amendment.

Fianna Fáil’s Marc MacSharry and Eamon Scanlon are against repeal, while Sinn Féin’s Martin Kenny is the only Sligo/ Leitrim TD in favour of repeal.