Natalie McDonnell
Speeches:
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The Situation in the Republic
of Ireland This presentation will set out the basis of
abortion in law in Ireland and examine recent
developments pertaining to the manner in which
Ireland’s constitutionally enshrined ban on
abortion operates. The application of international
human rights norms and standards reveal the
manner in which the ban – and the failure to
attain legal clarity in relation to its operation –
provides real opportunities for change. One
such opportunity arose in the context of A, B,
C v Ireland, the case taken to the European
Court of Human Rights in which the Grand
Chamber of the Court, in 2010, found a breach
of the Convention in the case of C, due to the
lack of clarity and the illusory nature of the right
to access a termination under Irish law where
there is a real and substantial risk to the life of
a woman. The options available to the State to
ensure compliance with the judgment will also be
explored in this presentation.