January 12, I tabled a motion at Cork City Council welcoming the Dáil’s narrow rejection (73–71) of proposals to allow abortion on request up to viability and remove the three-day waiting period. Further, the motion called for meaningful supports—financial aid, housing, childcare, counselling—and a cultural shift to ensure every baby is truly cherished and welcome.
This was rooted in constituent feedback: many are disturbed by rising abortion numbers—over 47,000 since 2019, with a record 10,852 in 2024—after assurances it would be “safe, legal and rare”.
I want to emphasise that my advocacy for better supports implies no moral failure on the part of women facing crisis pregnancies who choose abortion. Many decide under immense pressures—financial, housing, emotional—often feeling they have no real alternatives. My focus is on removing those pressures so every woman feels empowered to continue her pregnancy. Nor do I sense a judgmental attitude from constituents raising these concerns.
Striking
What is striking is that highlighting rising numbers often draws strong criticism, as though discussion is only permitted when it favours further liberalisation. This can stifle open conversation on real impacts for women, families, and society.
The debate was passionate. Supporters included Independent Ireland’s Cllr Noel O’Flynn, Independent Cllr Paudie Dineen, and Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Terry Shannon. Opposition was vociferous and cross-party, with strong language—including terms like paternalistic, misogynistic, culture-war baiter, and anti-women’s rights—directed at the motion. The welcome of the Dáil outcome appeared to be the real point of contention.
Broader HSE data adds perspective: over 10,000 women since 2019 did not return for a second appointment after the mandatory three-day wait (e.g., 2,200 in 2024 alone, a 17.4% rate). This suggests the reflection period gives time to consider alternatives—something worth preserving.
Cork voters deserve transparency and to know where their representatives stand on supports for women and the direction of our laws and culture”
We must also recognise a biological reality: roughly half of aborted unborn children are female. As someone committed to equality and women’s rights, I believe these girls deserve the chance of life. While sex-selective abortion is not yet widespread here, global patterns (e.g., estimates of millions of missing female births due to son preference) show the risks a more permissive regime could introduce.
To my knowledge, this important Cork City Council debate received no coverage from the city’s main newspapers or radio stations, despite the Dáil vote’s national attention. Cork voters deserve transparency and to know where their representatives stand on supports for women and the direction of our laws and culture.
We must keep asking: how can we best support women in crisis pregnancies so they feel they have real choices? Rising numbers suggest the promise of “safe, legal and rare” has not materialised. The debate deserved wider attention—not as a culture-war flashpoint, but as a serious discussion about practical help, reflection time, and a society that cherishes both women and their unborn children.
This was rooted in constituent feedback: many are disturbed by rising abortion numbers—over 47,000 since 2019, with a record 10,852 in 2024—after assurances it would be “safe, legal and rare”.
I want to emphasise that my advocacy for better supports implies no moral failure on the part of women facing crisis pregnancies who choose abortion. Many decide under immense pressures—financial, housing, emotional—often feeling they have no real alternatives. My focus is on removing those pressures so every woman feels empowered to continue her pregnancy. Nor do I sense a judgmental attitude from constituents raising these concerns.
Striking
What is striking is that highlighting rising numbers often draws strong criticism, as though discussion is only permitted when it favours further liberalisation. This can stifle open conversation on real impacts for women, families, and society.
The debate was passionate. Supporters included Independent Ireland’s Cllr Noel O’Flynn, Independent Cllr Paudie Dineen, and Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Terry Shannon. Opposition was vociferous and cross-party, with strong language—including terms like paternalistic, misogynistic, culture-war baiter, and anti-women’s rights—directed at the motion. The welcome of the Dáil outcome appeared to be the real point of contention.
Broader HSE data adds perspective: over 10,000 women since 2019 did not return for a second appointment after the mandatory three-day wait (e.g., 2,200 in 2024 alone, a 17.4% rate). This suggests the reflection period gives time to consider alternatives—something worth preserving.
Cork voters deserve transparency and to know where their representatives stand on supports for women and the direction of our laws and culture”
We must also recognise a biological reality: roughly half of aborted unborn children are female. As someone committed to equality and women’s rights, I believe these girls deserve the chance of life. While sex-selective abortion is not yet widespread here, global patterns (e.g., estimates of millions of missing female births due to son preference) show the risks a more permissive regime could introduce.
To my knowledge, this important Cork City Council debate received no coverage from the city’s main newspapers or radio stations, despite the Dáil vote’s national attention. Cork voters deserve transparency and to know where their representatives stand on supports for women and the direction of our laws and culture.
We must keep asking: how can we best support women in crisis pregnancies so they feel they have real choices? Rising numbers suggest the promise of “safe, legal and rare” has not materialised. The debate deserved wider attention—not as a culture-war flashpoint, but as a serious discussion about practical help, reflection time, and a society that cherishes both women and their unborn children.
Why we need better alternatives, not further liberalisation of abortion
January 12, I tabled a motion at Cork City Council welcoming the Dáil’s narrow rejection (73–71) of proposals to allow abortion on request up to viability and remove the three-day waiting period. Further, the motion called for meaningful supports—financial aid, housing, childcare, counselling—and a cultural shift to ensure every baby is truly cherished and welcome.
This was rooted in constituent feedback: many are disturbed by rising abortion numbers—over 47,000 since 2019, with a record 10,852 in 2024—after assurances it would be “safe, legal and rare”.
I want to emphasise that my advocacy for better supports implies no moral failure on the part of women facing crisis pregnancies who choose abortion. Many decide under immense pressures—financial, housing, emotional—often feeling they have no real alternatives. My focus is on removing those pressures so every woman feels empowered to continue her pregnancy. Nor do I sense a judgmental attitude from constituents raising these concerns.
Striking
What is striking is that highlighting rising numbers often draws strong criticism, as though discussion is only permitted when it favours further liberalisation. This can stifle open conversation on real impacts for women, families, and society.
The debate was passionate. Supporters included Independent Ireland’s Cllr Noel O’Flynn, Independent Cllr Paudie Dineen, and Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Terry Shannon. Opposition was vociferous and cross-party, with strong language—including terms like paternalistic, misogynistic, culture-war baiter, and anti-women’s rights—directed at the motion. The welcome of the Dáil outcome appeared to be the real point of contention.
Broader HSE data adds perspective: over 10,000 women since 2019 did not return for a second appointment after the mandatory three-day wait (e.g., 2,200 in 2024 alone, a 17.4% rate). This suggests the reflection period gives time to consider alternatives—something worth preserving.
We must also recognise a biological reality: roughly half of aborted unborn children are female. As someone committed to equality and women’s rights, I believe these girls deserve the chance of life. While sex-selective abortion is not yet widespread here, global patterns (e.g., estimates of millions of missing female births due to son preference) show the risks a more permissive regime could introduce.
To my knowledge, this important Cork City Council debate received no coverage from the city’s main newspapers or radio stations, despite the Dáil vote’s national attention. Cork voters deserve transparency and to know where their representatives stand on supports for women and the direction of our laws and culture.
We must keep asking: how can we best support women in crisis pregnancies so they feel they have real choices? Rising numbers suggest the promise of “safe, legal and rare” has not materialised. The debate deserved wider attention—not as a culture-war flashpoint, but as a serious discussion about practical help, reflection time, and a society that cherishes both women and their unborn children.
This was rooted in constituent feedback: many are disturbed by rising abortion numbers—over 47,000 since 2019, with a record 10,852 in 2024—after assurances it would be “safe, legal and rare”.
I want to emphasise that my advocacy for better supports implies no moral failure on the part of women facing crisis pregnancies who choose abortion. Many decide under immense pressures—financial, housing, emotional—often feeling they have no real alternatives. My focus is on removing those pressures so every woman feels empowered to continue her pregnancy. Nor do I sense a judgmental attitude from constituents raising these concerns.
Striking
What is striking is that highlighting rising numbers often draws strong criticism, as though discussion is only permitted when it favours further liberalisation. This can stifle open conversation on real impacts for women, families, and society.
The debate was passionate. Supporters included Independent Ireland’s Cllr Noel O’Flynn, Independent Cllr Paudie Dineen, and Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Terry Shannon. Opposition was vociferous and cross-party, with strong language—including terms like paternalistic, misogynistic, culture-war baiter, and anti-women’s rights—directed at the motion. The welcome of the Dáil outcome appeared to be the real point of contention.
Broader HSE data adds perspective: over 10,000 women since 2019 did not return for a second appointment after the mandatory three-day wait (e.g., 2,200 in 2024 alone, a 17.4% rate). This suggests the reflection period gives time to consider alternatives—something worth preserving.
We must also recognise a biological reality: roughly half of aborted unborn children are female. As someone committed to equality and women’s rights, I believe these girls deserve the chance of life. While sex-selective abortion is not yet widespread here, global patterns (e.g., estimates of millions of missing female births due to son preference) show the risks a more permissive regime could introduce.
To my knowledge, this important Cork City Council debate received no coverage from the city’s main newspapers or radio stations, despite the Dáil vote’s national attention. Cork voters deserve transparency and to know where their representatives stand on supports for women and the direction of our laws and culture.
We must keep asking: how can we best support women in crisis pregnancies so they feel they have real choices? Rising numbers suggest the promise of “safe, legal and rare” has not materialised. The debate deserved wider attention—not as a culture-war flashpoint, but as a serious discussion about practical help, reflection time, and a society that cherishes both women and their unborn children.
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