TDs forced to consider €1 fine for having an abortion in Ireland

Under current legislation, having or assisting a woman with an abortion in Ireland is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Challenging that before the Dáil next month, People Before Profit, who have previously pushed for the decriminalisation of abortions, are seeking to introduce a bill which, instead, imposes a €1 fine.

Commenting on the proposed legislation at a press conference in the capital, Bríd Smith insisted that the €1 fine acted as “a serious attempt to decriminalise abortion in the State and since we have been prevented from doing it outright.”

The party’s previous attempt was hindered after it was considered unconstitutional under the Eight Amendment.

Acknowledging that the bill is likely to face opposition in the Dáil, Bríd reasoned that the proposed legislation will force TDs to either support the 14-year penalty or propose an alternative ‘punishment’.

According to The Irish Times, abortion activist, Ailbhe Smyth, maintains that Ireland is under strict instruction from the United Nations to 'introduce less punitive abortion legislation'.