Ten Fine Gael and Labour Party former women ministers issued a joint call for a No vote yesterday, saying the proposed amendment would roll back the X case and "drag us back 20 years".
"The X case decision was a humane and compassionate decision," they said. "The Government proposal seeks to overturn that decision and drag us back 20 years. We do not want to see that happen."
They said the X case judgment provided an important safeguard for Irish women, stating that a woman who is suicidal is entitled to a termination in this country. "Thankfully, such cases are rare, but as we know from the X case and the C case, they do occur and we cannot ignore that fact.
"We are united in our support for Irish women, some of whom may find themselves in this distressing situation.
"We are opposed to the removal of suicide as a ground for an abortion in this country. We will be voting No on March 6th." The group consisted of Ms Niamh Bhreathnach, Ms Joan Burton, Ms Eileen Desmond, Ms Avril Doyle, Ms Nuala Fennell, Ms Eithne Fitzgerald, Ms Mary Flaherty, Ms Gemma Hussey, Ms Liz McManus and Ms Nora Owen.