The division between pro-life groups on the abortion referendum widened yesterday as the Mother and Child campaign challenged Prof William Binchy to a live television debate on their differing stances.
At a press conference Mr Justin Barrett of the Mother and Child Campaign, which incorporates Youth Defence, called for a No vote. The Pro-Life Campaign (PLC), of which Prof Binchy is a leading figure, is calling for a Yes vote.
Mr Barrett said the deal struck by the PLC with Fianna Fáil had surprised many and its support for a Yes vote complicated the issues unnecessarily.
"We intend to issue a direct challenge because what has been going on over the past couple of weeks is that we say one thing and the PLC responds by saying that that is quite the opposite and that's not true," he said.
Even at public meetings, PLC spokespersons refused to debate directly with them, he claimed.
"We would be asking William Binchy to debate on live television the issues at the core of this Bill with myself, perhaps, and then it would become extremely clear that the PLC have changed their position," he said.
The Government was threatening a "liberal abortion" regime if it did not get its way, Mr Barrett said.
"For any Government to seek to coerce the Irish people into making a major constitutional change based on bullying tactics of this kind is despicable," he said.
The amendment would ban some abortions in Ireland while giving taxpayer funding for those same abortions abroad, he added.