HomeTagsPosts tagged with "Eighth Amendment"

Eighth Amendment

by

 A 'Rats Out of the HSE' protest took place today outside the Department of Health's office in Dublin, following a leak of patient information.

The woman had legally obtained an abortion, but was then phoned and harassed by anti-abortion groups, according to TheJournal.ie

The protesters were calling for better protection of confidential patient information and for an external investigation to be launched after last week's data breaches.

Roughly 12 people took part in the protest at lunchtime, carrying placards and holding cut-out rat masks at Miesian Plaza.

A number of investigations were launched last week into the shocking claims.

A woman had an abortion at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, otherwise known as Holles Street, and was later verbally abused over the phone by a man who had somehow obtained her personal information.

On Friday, anti-abortion protesters stated that they were given information on when abortions were scheduled to occur at Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

Councillor Éilis Ryan of The Workers’ Party has said the HSE needed to clearly explain the steps it had taken to ensure that staff were providing abortion services in a trustworthy, fair and transparent manner.

"It doesn’t seem that any thought was put into how to change the culture of our hospitals to ensure people who might have anti-choice feelings themselves are not biased in how they carry out their healthcare provision”.

Her worry regarding the ability of our healthcare services to adapt without bias is felt by many.

Health Minister Simon Harris has admitted that an internal probe will take place, but “given the scale of scandals linking to the HSE in recent years we don’t feel that an internal investigation can be trusted or is sufficient”, according to Ryan.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by  (@freesafelegalfilm) on

She feels that Gabriel Scally is trustworthy, after he carried out the Cervical Check screening programme review.

Simon Harris said on Friday  that it was “extraordinarily concerning and disturbing” that a patient’s details of her own abortion could possibly become public.

"The idea that anybody might leak a woman’s confidential information is reprehensible, it is grotesque, it’s disgusting and that is why I asked the HSE yesterday to investigate the matter and report back."

The HSE, the Dublin Well Woman Clinic, the National Maternity Hospital and the Data Protection Commissioner are apparently making inquiries regarding the apparent incident. 

Cover image: Twitter/@michelledevane

Trending

by

With less than a week to go until polling stations open on May 25, two opinion polls suggest the 'Yes' side still leads the way. 

Commissioned by the Sunday Times, a poll of 935 people between May 3 and 15 showed a five point increase for those in favour of repealing the Eight Amendment in urban areas. 

A 12 point increase in Dublin means that 67 per cent of voters in the capital plan to vote yes, while 54 per cent of voters in the rest of Leinster plan to do the same.

Meanwhile, a Sunday Business Post poll of a thousand adults between May 10 and 16 shows the 'Yes' side up three points to 56 per cent, while the 'No' side is up one to 27 per cent. 

It seems however that the figures shifted somewhat when people were asked what way they thought their friends would vote. 

Political Editor Michael Brennan, explained:  "Interestingly, Red C – our polling company – has done an analysis asking people how do they think their neighbours or their friends [will vote] and [from] listening to the campaign, what they think the outcome will be… we get a much tighter vote.

"The result from that type of polling – known as the 'wisdom of crowds' – is 56% Yes, 44% No."

The Eighth Amendment referendum will be held on Friday May 25th.

Trending

by

According to emerging reports, the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment has voted in favour of its repeal.

The Irish Times reports that of the 21-member committee, 14 voted in favour, 6 voted against, and the chairperson abstained.

Members of the public took to Twitter to celebrate the decision, with many dubbing it a major milestone in the pro-choice journey.

"An important step forward as #8Committee votes overwhelmingly for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment," wrote one.

"So emotional! I can't thank @freesafelegal @repealeight and all the long time activists for all the hard work for many years that has led to this milestone," added another.

Committee member, Brid Smith, took to Twitter to share her delight in the aftermath of the decision, writing: “REPEAL!! We did it; 14 to 6; now to win the referendum."

"Congrats to all those women who fought and campaigned for 34 years to end this barbaric law! And in memory of those who suffered so cruelly”.

The final report on Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution will be published on December 20.

Trending