A statement from the Masters of Dublin's maternity hospital urging a yes vote in the abortion referendum has caused further conflict among advocates on both sides of the debate.
The Masters from the three maternity hospitals, the Rotunda, the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, and the Coombe Women's Hospital, said the State should sanction abortion in certain circumstances.
The three said they believed a pregnant woman carrying a foetus which could not survive life outside the womb should be entitled to have an abortion in Ireland.
This morning's call for a Yes vote by the Masters provides "another comprehensive rebuttal" to those campaigning for a No vote, claimed the Minister for Health Mr Micheal Martin.
The Health Minister said the referendum provides "a clear and honest proposal which will protect women in pregnancy." He said today's statement by the Masters confirmed that they believe the proposal fully allows doctors to provide the medical care women need during pregnancy.
However, Fine Gael TD Mr Alan Shatter said the Masters' call was "totally incompatible" with the view they expressed on abortion.
Mr Shatter said that instead of supporting the government's proposal they should be asking for a different amendment to be made and calling for a No vote.
He said: "their joint statement illustrates the confusion caused by the Government's proposal, even amongst medical experts."
Alliance for a No Vote shared the Fine Gael view. Dr Mary Favier commented: "It is good to hear the Masters' comments, and they give further reason for people to oppose the government's proposal." Speaking at a press briefing in Dublin today, Dr Sean Daly, Dr Michael Geary and Dr Declan Keane said the amendment will give legal protection to doctors caring for women who are at significant risk of dying as a result of being pregnant.
Their views were expressed in a personal capacity and do not represent those of Dublin's three maternity hospitals.
- Fine Gael TD Mr Richard Bruton said today that the Governments' information booklet on the referendum Statement for the Information of Votersis "illegal and incompetent". Under the Electoral Acts any information disseminated to voters must clearly indicate who is issuing the material.
Mr Bruton said the six-page document does not indicate the date of the referendum nor does it indicate any of the seven sections of the Bill which will become constitutional law if the referendum is carried.
The Fine Gael TD said the document also sets out "incomprehensible provisions, taken out of context which could only be understood by a constitutional lawyer."