The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has warmly welcomed a statement from Ireland's Catholic bishops yesterday which was considerably stronger than expected in support of the Government's proposals on abortion.
He said the statement made "a positive contribution to the debate on the subject". It was also welcomed by Fine Gael's Health spokesman, Mr Gay Mitchell, as "balanced and constructive."
Ms Liz McManus of the Labour party, however, said it showed the referendum was only about rolling back the Supreme Court judgment in the X case.
The bishops welcomed the proposed referendum as "an opportunity that should not be lost". They described the new proposal as "a significant improvement on the current unsatisfactory situation" and were satisfied it did not "dilute or weaken the general protection already afforded [the unborn] by Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution". It was their conviction that it "does not in itself deny or devalue the worth and dignity of the human embryo prior to implantation".
As such, "Catholic voters should feel free in conscience to support this measure, even if it is viewed as less than might have been desired."
They encouraged "all our people to vote in the forthcoming referendum."
The bishops' statement followed discussions at their two-day winter meeting at St Patrick's College Maynooth on Tuesday and yesterday. Discussion on the Government's abortions proposals dominated the earlier part of the meeting and a statement was prepared with the unanimous support of all Ireland's 35 bishops.
Both the Catholic Primate Archbishop Sean Brady and Cardinal Desmond Connell told a press conference at Maynooth yesterday that they would regret it if the referendum did not go ahead. Dr Brady pointed out the bishops had sought a referendum on the matter since the Supreme Court decision in the X case. The bishops' spokesman, Father Martin Clarke, said it was intended that a programme of education on the issue would be undertaken in all parishes prior to the referendum. He also insisted that no deal had been done with the Government on the matter, though Cardinal Connell acknowledged he had been sounded out about proposals by the Government in advance. He felt it was "prudent" of the Government to do so.
The Pro-Life Campaign has welcomed the statement as "hugely significant, affirming as it does that the proposal does not in itself deny or devalue the worth and dignity of the human embryo prior [their italics] to implantation." SPUC (UK) expressed "grave disquiet" at the statement, which it described as "deplorable".