Irish MEPs are at odds over elements of a report of the European Parliament on "Women and Fundamentalism". The report, prepared by Spanish Socialist member, Ms Maria Izquierdo Rojo, has been welcomed by the Green MEP for Leinster, Ms Nuala Ahern, and the Labour MEP, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, but substantial amendments have been proposed by the Independent MEP for Connacht-Ulster, Mrs Dana Rosemary Scallon.
A motion based on the report is to be voted on by the parliament today. One of its more controversial provisions appears to support the ordination of women priests by condemning the "exclusion of women from leading positions in the political and religious hierarchy".
Mrs Scallon is among a number of MEPs supporting an amendment to delete this provision. However, Ms Ahern said: "Some people argue against this report on the grounds that it would oblige the Catholic Church to ordain women. I personally would welcome this."
Mrs Scallon also opposes a provision which appears to support the right to abortion. This section backs the right of women "to control their own bodies and the right to decide when to have families of their own, their lifestyles and their personal relationships".
She is seeking the complete deletion of a paragraph which criticises the Pope for his attitude to lesbianism.
Another section which is opposed by Mrs Scallon and her co-thinkers, "Calls on the EU member-states not to recognise countries in which women cannot acquire full citizenship or are excluded from government".
The amendments are due to be taken today. In a statement, Ms Ahern said it was "important that we regard women's rights as human rights". She said fundamentalism had been associated with "a very restrictive and isolationist view of religion, that excludes other races, faiths and women".
She did not accept suggestions that the report sought to prevent countries which outlawed abortion from joining the EU.
Backing the report, Mr De Rossa said, "In the light of last week's referendum result in Ireland, believers of all creeds should promote equal rights for women, including the right to control their own bodies and the right to decide when to have families of their own." He hoped a majority in the Parliament would support the call made in the report for the lifting of restrictions on the rights of women "on the pretext of religion, religious interpretations, cultural traditions or customs or law".