Niamh Uí Bhriain explains why Google’s decision is a serious threat to the referendum process 
Chai Brady and Aron Hegarty
The decision to include the pursuit of exclusion zones outside abortion centres in the Programme for Government has been described as “vindictive” by the Life Institute.
The programme set out by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party states the new Government will: “Establish exclusion zones around medical facilities.”
Níamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute said constitutional provisions have remained the same and “people have a right to protest”.
“The vigils at hospitals have been very peaceful and that’s been confirmed by gardaí. I think the inclusion of the desire to create exclusion zones outside abortion centres shows the vindictiveness of the Government and in particular I would imagine of senior ministers.
“What we’re talking about here is people either praying peacefully outside an abortion centre or people offering women what they might need to help them with their pregnancy. How can that be offensive to anybody, unless you are wholeheartedly into the idea that abortion is the only solution that women should be offered.”
Regulations
Meanwhile Christian leaders in Northern Ireland have criticised the UK Government after Members of the House of Lords voted this week to approve new abortion regulations for the North.
In total, 355 voted for the regulations with 77 voted against.
“The people of Northern Ireland do not want these regulations,” said Nola Leach, chief executive of Christian Action Research and Education (CARE).
“Members of the House of Lords have voted for regulations that directly discriminate against people with disabilities [sic] and were rejected by a majority in the Northern Ireland Assembly only a few weeks ago.
“MPs need to consider that, by voting for these regulations, the message they are sending to the people of Northern Ireland is that unborn babies have no value, particularly unborn babies who have disabilities.”
A recent poll in NI reveals the majority of respondents do not support abortion to birth for Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate or Down’s syndrome.
The poll of 1,878 respondents, conducted by Lucid Talk from June 3-5 for CARE NI, shows more than two thirds (72%) were against abortion to birth for otherwise healthy babies with a cleft lip or palate.
In addition, over two thirds (67%) were opposed to abortion for Down syndrome between 24 weeks gestation up to birth.
The Rally For Life is hosting a ‘Virtual Rally for Life’ online from July 1-5. For more information, go to rallyforlife.net or follow the hashtag #RallyForLife2020
