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US politicians demand Ireland outlaw abortion in open letter to Enda Kenny

Irish Prime Minister urged to outlaw abortion legislation

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Monday, September 24, 2012, 7:25 AM

Updated Monday, September 24, 2012, 9:56 AM

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Enda Kenny, Ireland's prime minister.

Photo by Jock Fistick/Bloomberg

Members of the US Congress have written to Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny demanding that he halt any bid to legalize abortion in Ireland.

The group of 16 Republican and one Democrat congressmen have signed the letter, calling on Kenny to ensure that Ireland remains ‘staunchly pro-life’.

The Irish Examiner reports that the politicians told Kenny they were concerned that an expert group chosen by his Health Minister James Reilly to present a report on abortion included some who are ‘pro-choice’.

The report states that Minister Reilly established the group last January in the wake of a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that Ireland must give legislative effect to the 1992 Supreme Court judgment in the X Case which ruled that a woman was entitled to an abortion if her life was in danger as a result of her pregnancy.

It adds that the expert group is due to present its report shortly when it is expected to recommend either regulation or legislation. Minster Reilly will then bring that recommendation to Cabinet.

In the letter, the American politicians said: “A concern has been expressed to us that the composition of the expert group seems predisposed to issue recommendations that infringe on the right to life, rather than a simple clarification.

“The absence of experts of known pro-life views and the presence of some of known pro-abortion views were especially noted.”

The Irish Examiner reports that one of the signatures on the letter is that of Doug Lamborn, a Republican from Colorado Springs who was forced to apologize last year to President Obama after saying that working with him was like touching a ‘tar baby’.

The letter is also signed by Trent Franks, a Republican Congressman from Arizona, who earlier this year sought to push through legislation that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in the District of Columbia.

The Examiner states that when the White House voiced opposition, Franks called Obama ‘the abortion president’.

The letter to Kenny from the 17 Congress members says: “Ireland has been an example to the world in not legislating for abortion.

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46 Comments

15 - 46 | See all comments

EphraimKibbey | Sep 28, 2012, 12:46 AM EDT

CIARADEXY, you have a gift with words and you are making an old man blush! Thank you!

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ciaradexy | Sep 26, 2012, 05:44 PM EDT

Perhaps Americans need to keep their noses out of Irish womens wombs?

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rugbyplayer | Sep 26, 2012, 11:44 AM EDT

Those US busy bodies (aka US GOP Congressmen writing on their pro-life platform to Irish PM)should mind their own business. Ireland is NOT a US colony nor a Vatican Papal State!

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bobby | Sep 26, 2012, 07:17 AM EDT

Since when did Ireland become a state of the U.S? Those Members of the US Congress, should focus on fixing the problems you have in America. You have enough of them.

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EphraimKibbey | Sep 26, 2012, 01:37 AM EDT

I think it is obvious that these Americans have never met anyone of Irish descent. As if telling an Irishman that he CAN'T do something might actually prevent him from doing it. The Pro-Choice segment of the Irish population will probably use this in a campaign ad to increase their backers if it comes to a vote in Ireland. Note that many of these same politicians are the ones that were instramental in developing the "Kill the Gays" legislation in Africa. The wonders of the "C" street mind set: It is OK to kill gay people but you are a murderer if you kill a single-celled zygote. With cloning, we can now create a whole new individual from a single skin cell so I guess I am a mass murderer if I bash my knuckles working on my car's engine. Ridiculous, just ridiculous!!!!!

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irismonkey48 | Sep 25, 2012, 08:19 PM EDT

OMG This is totally arrogant and inappropriate. I think Ireland can make its own decisions and I do not believe this should be a political issue. Thats between a person and their own religion.

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Reilleyfam | Sep 25, 2012, 03:43 PM EDT

Let the Irish govern Ireland. You dont live there and you dont do a very good job of governing the country you do live in.

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norinalundy | Sep 25, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT

How one feels about abortion is strictly personal, and by personal, I mean just that. Moreover, it is not the business of anyone in the USA, politician, clergy or otherwise. However, it is of paramount importance and a right that a woman have the final say over her own body when she is in danger of mental anguish or perhaps if she is in physical danger as in the case of a brutal rape. Obviously, this is not the case if she is giving birth to a child naturally and when it is safe, as it has been stated, that it is more than safe in Irish hospitals, but when she has been brutally raped and tortured and has to live with a child as a constant reminder of the trauma she has suffered and will no doubt suffer for the rest of her life. Only a man that has been raped can relate, but no man can comment on living with a child of said rape.

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Mousemess | Sep 25, 2012, 09:46 AM EDT

Dona polaiteoiri Meiriceanaigh, deanaigi bhur ngno fein!!! To the American politicians, mind your own business!!!

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steveoconnor | Sep 25, 2012, 08:47 AM EDT

Stay out if it. The irish people are sick of external conservative influence. The church has done enough damage here.

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eiriamach | Sep 25, 2012, 06:02 AM EDT

It's ludicrous that anyone who writes about being "pro-life" can oppose abortion to save the lives of women. The proposed law would be life-saving when neither mother nor fetus would survive pregnancy without it. The proposed law has nothing to do with "recreational sex," but the woman haters commenting below insist on twisting it into a way of demonizing women and asserting their will to power over the lives of women and families.

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eiriamach | Sep 25, 2012, 05:38 AM EDT

"Heute Deutschland, morgen die Welt!" Religious fanatics have flexed their muscle in the 'states, and their self-delusions grow apace with their lust for control over the lives of women, workers, and the poor. These members of the US Congress seem to think that the Taoiseach has powers to dictate laws to Dáil Éireann. Send them a copy of the Irish Constitution (not that they could read it if they tried).

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MissOC | Sep 25, 2012, 03:39 AM EDT

I just read this story and could not believe the idiots in Congress that sent that letter. As an American it really embarrassed me, as an Irish-American, it really upset me, and as a woman it really pissed me off. It's bad enough they are trying to dictate what women can do with their bodies over here, now they want to try to dictate to Ireland what their women can do with their bodies. I hope the Prime Minister tell them to piss off!!

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TayandCake | Sep 24, 2012, 10:33 PM EDT

They want to have a children's referendum yet legalize abortion, its sounds very unbalanced and bizarre. Abortion will come in though, the liberal do-gooders always get their way.

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The Commentator | Sep 24, 2012, 10:07 PM EDT

The arrogance and gall of these politicians is only exceeded by "Mitt the Twitt" Romney. If he is elected president he will probably place and embargo on Ireland if they don't obey his commands. One would think that these asinine Americans would worry about the sorry state of affairs that Bush and his Republican Party have caused in the USA. Watch out the USA will come and overthrow the government to get at the Irish oil reserves now that they have caused a great upheaval in the east and may have problems with the oil supply there. Why don't they just mind their own business and let individuals make their own choices.

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