https___adfam.ie_2022_09_26_culra-le-sceim-na-fritghiniuna-saor-in-aisce-ag-an-rialtas__lang_ga_1.xml
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A lot of publicity has been given, so far, to the Government’s ‘Free Contraception’ Scheme. It was admitted in some of those reports that that Scheme was introduced under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022. The Bill of that Act was initiated on June 29, 2022. There was no reference in the version published that day to the ‘Free Contraception’ Scheme. Second Stage was dealt with on July 1, 2022, and the ‘Free Contraception’ Scheme was mentioned in the Second Stage version. Committee Stage, and Remaining Stages, were dealt with on July 6, 2022. All Stages of the Bill were dealt with in one day in Seanad Éireann, July 12, 2022. On July 18, 2022, President Michael D. Higgins signed the Bill into law. No Stage of the Bill was put to the vote, but all Stages were agreed. 10 TDs debated Second Stage, that is 10 out of a possible 157 or 158 TDs. Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, FF, Kildare South, doesn’t vote, unless the vote is tied. If the Leas–Cheann Comhairle is Chairing the debate, she doesn’t vote either. The Minister, in this case, of Health, Stephen Donnelly, FF, Wicklow, does vote either. Violet–Anne Wynne, Independent [former SF TD] was on maternity leave at the time. As far as I know, 10 TDs are just the bare minimum for a quorum, at present. The following are the TDs who were in the Dáil during Second Stage: Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, FF, Kildare South; Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, FF, Wicklow; David Cullinane, SF, Waterford; Patricia Ryan, SF, Kildare South; Martin Browne, SF, Tipperary; Duncan Smith, Labour Party, Dublin Fingal; Colm Burke, FG, Cork North–Central; Ruairí Ó Murchú, SF, Louth; Róisín Shortall, Social Democrats, Dublin North–West; Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, FF, Carlow–Kilkenny; Paul Donnelly, SF, Dublin West; Gino Kenny, People before Profit – Solidarity, Dublin Mid–West. 3 TDs were present for Committee Stage, and Remaining Stages: David Cullinane, SF, Waterford; Bríd Smith, People before Profit – Solidarity, Dublin South–Central; Róisín Shortall, Social Democrats, Dublin North–West. Catherine Connolly, Independent, Galway West, Leas–Cheann Comhairle, Chaired those Stages; Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, FF, Wicklow, spoke on behalf of the Government. Only 2 Senators were present in Seanad Éireann for the debates on All Stages: Niall Ó Donnghaile, SF; Martin Conway, FG. Jerry Buttimer, was Acting Chairman for the debate in Seanad Éireann. As far as the Act itself is concerned, Number 20 of 2022, Health Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2022 [No. 2 of 2022], there are references in the Long Title to the provision of ‘contraceptive services’ for women ‘who have attained the age of 17 years but have not attained the age of 26 years’. It goes on to say that the Minister for Health ‘may by regulations prescribe a further age or further classes, by reference to years of age, of women in respect of whom contraception services shall also be made available’. PART 3 [pp. 4–7] refers, on p. 5, section 6. (4), to ‘contraception services’ passim, to the fitting of ‘a long-acting reversible contraceptive device’; in section 6. (8) (a) on p. 6, to ‘different contraception services or different classes of contraception services, or in respect of the provision of contraception services or different classes of contraception services to different classes of relevant women’; and in section 6. (8) (11) (b) [pp. 6–7] to ‘ “revelant products”, subject to sections 20 and 23 of the Act of 2013 [i.e. Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 (No. 14)]’ that are defined as follows: ‘relevant products’, subject to sections 20 and 23 of the Act of 2013, means contraceptive drugs, medicines and products (including // long-acting reversible contraceptive devices and emergency contraceptives So therefore, this Act aims to fund, at the taxpayer’s expense, birth–prevention pills, long-acting reversible contraceptive devices and emergency contraceptives, all of which have the elimination of the early human embryo [i.e. abortion] as their predominant mode of action. In other words, they are claiming to help eliminate reliance on abortion by promoting earlier abortion. The scheme is for females between the ages of 17 and 25. Do men have no role in the procreation of children? Recent research has demonstrated that adolescence lasts from the age of 10 years, until one has passed one’s 24th birthday [Professor Susan M. Sawyer, et al. ‘The age of adolescence’, The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health (January 17, 2018)]. In other words, the scheme is aimed, almost completely, at late–adolescent young women. There is no basis in fact for believing that this move will reduce unwanted pregnancies in that age group. Economist, Professor David Paton, of Nottingham University, England, over the years, has demolished that false argument. Recently it was reported that approximately 21,000 unborn children have been judicially murdered under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, since its commencement on January 1, 2019. The real aim of the scheme seems to be to get young women addicted to the idea that sexual activity need not have any consequences –– that is, if they can manage to avoid STIs! How cynical, at a time when very few young people can afford to rent a flat or apartment, or when very few pre–marrieds can afford to put down a deposit on a mortgage. Why not, given the current context, exempt under–30s from paying income tax? The concentration in this scheme is on the Pill, Long–Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCs), ‘contraceptive’ injections, implants, IUS, IUDs (coils), the ‘contraceptive’ patch and ring, and so–called ‘emergency contraception’, all of which are a lot more likely to eliminate the early human embryo, than to work either through actual contraception, or sterilization. An Act was passed in June 2014, the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014. Under Definitions [section 2.1], in the definition of the word ‘body’, in that Act, the human foetus is described as a ‘human person’. Not only that, but DNA testing is endorsed throughout the Act. DNA testing has been used in the Republic since 1994 in criminal cases, and in paternity cases. It doesn’t make any sense at all to use DNA testing, unless the human being is a human person –– starting from fertilization. Describing a creature as a ‘human person’ connotes that the creature has human rights, the principal one being the right to life. No distinction is made in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 between ‘foetus’ and ‘embryo’. Yet the 2014 Act was not taken into the reckoning at all when the Supreme Court gave their ruling on an immigration case in Limerick City, March 7, 2018 [M (Immigration –– Rights of the Unborn) –v– Minister for Justice and Equality & ors] ; the immigration case was based on the position that an unborn child involved had the right to Irish citizenship. The unborn’s father was from Africa, and a deportation order had been issued against him. The unborn child, a girl, was conceived in Ireland. The Supreme Court ruled [13.3 (vii)] that the Minister for Justice and Equality didn’t have to treat her as if she had any Constitutional rights other than what she had under Article 40.3.3º, as it was before being repealed [i.e., a right not to be aborted]; and ruled under [13.3 (viii)] that she wasn’t a child under Article 42A of Bunreacht na hÉireann. ‘Foetus’ and ‘embryo’ are defined as follows in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018: ‘foetus”, in relation to a pregnancy, means an embryo or a foetus during the period of time commencing after implantation in the uterus of a woman and ending on the complete emergence of the foetus from the body of the woman [Definitions 2.]
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Tá an–chuid poiblíochta tugtha go dtí seo ar na meáin do ‘Scéim na Frithghiniúna Saor in Aisce’ ag an Rialtas. Admhaíodh i gcuid de na tuairiscí sin gur faoin Acht Sláinte (Forálacha Ilghnéitheach), 2022 a tugadh an Scéim sin isteach. Meitheamh 29, 2022, a tionscnaíodh Bille an Achta sin. Ní raibh tagairt ar bith sa leagan a foilsíodh an lá sin do ‘Scéim na Frithghiniúna Saor in Aisce’. Iúil 1, 2022, a cíoradh an Dara Céim, agus bhí ‘Scéim na Frithghiniúna Saor in Aisce’ i leagan an Dara Céim. Iúil 6, 2022, a cíoradh Céim an Choiste, agus na Céimeanna a bhí Fágtha. In aon lá amháin a ritheadh na Céimeanna go léir den Bhille i Seanad Éireann, Iúil 12, 2022. Iúil 18, 2022, a shínigh an tUachtarán Micheál D. Ó hUiginn an Bille ina Acht. Ní hamhlaidh a cuireadh Céim ar bith de ar vóta, agus aontú leo go léir. 10 TD a chíor le linn an Dara Céim é. Go bhfios domsa, níl sa líon sin ach córam ar éigean. Ba iad a bhí sa Dáil le haghaidh an Dara Céim: Seán Ó Fearghaíl, FF, Cill Dara Theas, Ceann Comhairle [ní chaitheann an Ceann Comhairle vóta, mura mbíonn comhscór ann]; an tAire Sláinte, Stephen Donnelly, FF, Cill Mhantáin [ní chaitheann an tAire vóta]; David Cullinane, SF, Port Láirge; Patricia Ryan, SF, Cill Dara Theas; Martin Browne, SF, Tiobraid Árann; Duncan Smith, Páirtí an Luchta Oibre, Baile Átha Cliath – Fine Gall; Colm Burke, FG, Corcaigh Láir–Thuaidh; Ruairí Ó Murchú, SF, Lú; Róisín Shortall, Na Daonlathaithe Sóisialta, Baile Átha Cliath Thiar Thuaidh; Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, FF, Ceatharlach – Cill Chainnigh; Paul Donnelly, SF, Baile Átha Cliath Thiar; Gino Kenny, Pobal roimh Bhrabach – An Dlúthpháirtíocht, Baile Átha Cliath Láir Thiar. 3 TD a chíor Céim an Choiste, agus na Céimeanna a bhí Fágtha: David Cullinane, SF, Port Láirge; Bríd Smith, Pobal roimh Bhrabach – An Dlúthpháirtíocht, Baile Átha Cliath Láir Theas; Róisín Shortall, Na Daonlathaithe Sóisialta, Baile Átha Cliath Thiar Thuaidh. Ba í Catherine Connelly, Neamhspleách, Gaillimh Thiar, Leas–Cheann Comhairle, a bhí sa Chathaoir; agus ba é an tAire Sláinte, a labhair thar ceann an Rialtais, Stephen Donnelly, FF, Cill Mhantáin. Agus níor chíor ach beirt TD i Seanad Éireann é: Niall Ó Donnghaile, SF; Martin Conway, FG. Jerry Buttimer, FG, a bhí ina Chathaoirleach Gníomhach, le linn an chíortha. Maidir leis an Acht féin de, Uimhir 20 de 2022, An tAcht Sláinte (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 2022; (Uimhir 2 de 2022), tá tagairtí sa Teideal Fada do sholáthar seirbhísí frithghiniúna i gcomhair ban a bhfuil 17 mbliana slánaithe acu, ach nach bhfuil 26 bliana slánaithe go fóill acu. Leanann sé air go ndeir go bhféadfaidh an tAire Sláinte ‘a fhorordú le rialacháin go soláthrófar seirbhísí frithghiniúna i gcomhair ban in aois eile, nó d’aicmí eile, ó thaobh blianta d’aois de.’ Cuid 3 [lgh 4–7], tagraíonn sí, in áiteanna difriúla, dóibh seo a leanas: ‘seirbhísí frithghiniúna’, agus ar lch 5, alt 6. (4), do chóireáil ‘gaireas fadghníomhach inchúlaithe’; ‘seirbhísí difriúla frithghiniúna nó aicmí difriúla seirbhísí frithghiniúna’, nó in alt 6. (8) (a), ar lch 6, do sholáthar ‘seirbhísí frithghiniúna, nó d’aicmí difriúla seirbhísí frithghiniúna i gcomhair aicmí difriúla ban’; agus ar lgh 6–7 ‘earraí iomchuí’, faoi réir alt 20 agus alt 23 d’Acht 2013, [i.e. An tAcht Sláinte (Earraí Liachta a Phraghsáil agus a Sholáthar), 2013 (Uimh. 14)]’ in alt 6. (8) (11) (b) [lgh 6–7], ar mar seo leanas a léirítear iad: ‘earraí iomchuí’, faoi réir alt 20 agus alt 23 d’Acht 2013, ciallaíonn siad drugaí frithghiniúnacha, agus earraí (lena n–áirítear // gairis frithghiniúna fadghníomhaí inchúlaithe, agus frithghiniúnaigh éigeandála Dá réir sin, is é aidhm an Achta seo, maoiniú a dhéanamh orthu seo, ar chostas an cháiníocóra: piollairí coiscthe breithe, gairis frithghiniúna fadghníomhaí inchúlaithe, agus frithghiniúnaigh éigeandála, arb é príomh–mhodh oibre gach uile chinn díobh díothú an tsutha dhaonna i dtosach a bheatha [i.e. ginmhilleadh]. Á éileamh atá siad, i bhfocail eile, go gcabhróidh siad seo le malairt a sholáthar do mhná ar an nginmhilleadh, ach é sin trí ghinmhilleadh níos luaithe ná sin a chur chun cinn. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Is dírithe ar mhná óga óna 17 mbliana déag d’aois go dtí 25 bliana d’aois atá an Scéim seo. An amhlaidh nach bhfuil baint ar bith ag fir le leanaí a choimpeart? Rinneadh taighde le déanaí a thaispeánann gur ó 10 mbliana d’aois go dtí 24 bliana d’aois a mhaireann an teacht–in–inmhe go fisiceach [An tOllamh Susan M. Sawyer, et al. ‘The age of adolescence’, The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health (Eanáir 17, 2018)]. Is é sin le rá, gur dírithe ar bhlianta deiridh an teachta–in–inmhe atá an Scéim. Níl bun fírinne ar bith lena chreidiúint, i gcás na réime aoise sin, go laghdóidh an beartas seo ar líon na dtoircheas nach bhfuil fáilte rompu. Eacnamaí ar Ollscoil Nottingham i Sasana is ea an tOllamh David Paton, agus tá spior spear á dhéanamh den argóint sin aigesean le blianta. Tuairiscíodh le déanaí gur timpeall le 21,000 beo–gan–breith a bhfuil dúnmharú dlíthiúil déanta orthu faoin Acht Sláinte (Foirceannadh Toirchis a Rialáil) 2018, ó tugadh tosach feidhme di, Eanáir 1, 2019. De réir dealraimh, is é fíoraidhm na Scéime seo a chur ina luí ar mhná óga nach gá go mbeadh droch–iarmhairtí ar bith dóibh sa bheartaíocht chollaí –– ach gan galruithe caidrimh chollaí a theacht orthu! Polasaí cam sleamhain é sin, tráth ar beag duine óg atá in acmhainn áitreabh nó árasán a fháil ar cíos, nó gur beag iad na beirteanna chun pósta atá in acmhainn éarlais a chur síos chun teach a cheannach ar morgáiste. Cad chuige, i gcúrsaí an scéil, nach maithfí cáin ioncaim do dhaoine faoi bhun 30 bliain d’aois? Is iad na slite coiscthe breithe atá an Scéim seo a chur chun cinn, an Piollaire, na ‘Frithghiniúnaigh’ Fhadghníomhacha Inchúlaithe, Instealltaí ‘Frithghiniúna’, Ionphlanduithe, an Córas Ionútarach, an Fearas Ionútarach [an Corna], an Paiste ‘Frithghiniúnach’ móide an Fáinne, agus an ‘Fhrithghiniúint’ Éigeandála, mar a thugtar uirthi; gach uile cheann díobh sin, is dóchúla go mór go ndíothóidh siad an suth daonna i dtosach a bheatha, ná go ndéanfaidh siad frithghiniúint, ná aimridiú. Ritheadh Acht i Meitheamh 2014, an tAcht Ceartais Choiriúil (Fianaise Dlí–Eolaíochta agus Córas Bunachair Sonraí DNA), 2014. Feicigí an focal ‘corp’ faoi Léiriú, alt 2. (1), san Acht sin, mar a dtugtar ‘duine daonna/human person’ ar an bhféatas daonna. Ní hé sin amháin é, ach glactar leis an Tástáil DNA ar fud an Achta. Ón mbliain 1994, tá an Tástáil DNA á húsáid sa Phoblacht i gcásanna coiriúla, agus i gcásanna atharthachta. Níl ciall ar bith leis an Tástáil DNA a úsáid, mura duine daonna é an neach daonna –– agus é sin ón ubhthoirchiú. ‘Duine daonna’ a thabhairt ar chréatúr, fágann sin go bhfuil cearta daonna ag an gcréatúr; agus is é an príomhcheart orthu sin, an ceart chun a bheith beo. Ní dhéantar idirdhealú ar ‘féatas’ agus ar ‘suth’ san Acht Sláinte (Foirceannadh Toirchis a Rialáil), 2018 Ar a shon sin is uile, níor cuireadh san áireamh Acht 2014 in aon chor, agus rialú á thabhairt ag an gCúirt Uachtarach i gCathair Luimnigh ar chás inimirce, Márta 7, 2018 [M (Immigration – Rights of the Unborn) –v– Minister for Justice and Equality & ors]. Is amhlaidh a bhí an cás inimirce bunaithe ar an tuiscint go raibh ceart ag an mbeo–gan–breith sa chás sin ar shaoránacht Éireannach. Ón Afraic an t–athair, a raibh ordú díbeartha ó Éirinn eisithe ina choinne, ach ba in Éirinn a coimpríodh an beo–gan–breith. Ba é rud a rialaigh an Chúirt Uachtarach nach gcaithfeadh an tAire Dlí agus Cirt, agus Comhionannais, déileáil leis an mbeo–gan–breith i leith is go raibh cearta Bunreachtúla aici seachas a raibh aici faoi Airteagal 40.3.3º, mar a bhí, [is é sin nach ndéanfaí ginmhilleadh uirthi] 13.3 (vii); agus nach leanbh ba ea í de réir Airteagal 42A de Bhunreacht na hÉireann (13.3 (viii). An tAcht Sláinte (Foirceannadh Toirchis a Rialáil), 2018, is mar seo a mhínítear na focail ‘féatas’ agus ‘suth’ ann sin: ciallaíonn “féatas”, i ndáil le toircheas, suth nó féatas le linn na tréimhse ama a thosaíonn tar éis ionchlannú in útaras mná agus a chríochnaíonn an tráth a thagann an féatas go hiomlán amach as colainn na mná [Mínithe 2].