TD slams Catholic Primate Archbishop’s comments on safe access zones

The Catholic Primate Archbishop’s comments on safe access zones have been blasted by a Dublin TD.

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has slammed the comments of the Catholic Primate Archbishop, Eamon Martin, who said that the proposed legislation on safe access zones for abortion services had potential implications for freedom of religion, expression, and that it was disproportionate.

She said that the comments of the Archbishop were “deeply offensive to women and pregnant people who were seeking to vindicate their right to bodily autonomy.”

She also pointed out that the safe access zones would not ban protest or prevent people from airing their views, but that they would merely prevent protestors being able to harass people visiting clinics for abortion services which were won following the Repeal referendum result.

“These comments from the Archbishop are deeply offensive to women and pregnant people who want to vindicate their rights to bodily autonomy, free from persecution,” Deputy Smith said.

“However, they are not surprising.

“For the Archbishop to say that the safe access zones are a hindrance to people’s freedom of expression or religion is a nonsense.

“These safe access zones do not impinge on anyone’s religion or freedom of expression- they merely seek to protect vulnerable pregnant women and pregnant people from the potential for harassment.

“For too long the Catholic Church has tried to control women and their choice over their bodies and their healthcare decisions.

“The Repeal referendum result was categoric- the Catholic Church is trying to have a rerun of the arguments of the referendum.

“They need to realise that the referendum is over.”

The Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 will be debated at second stage in the Seanad on Thursday.