The youth branch of the Labour Party has called for the introduction of legalised abortion.
A majority of the delegates at Labour Youth's national conference in Dublin on Saturday supported on a show of hands a Trinity College motion demanding that "free, legal and safe abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy be made available in Ireland".
An amendment moved by the UCG branch that abortion be introduced "in accordance with the judgment in the X case" was defeated.
Ms Emma Finlay (TCD) said: "Any woman in one of the most traumatic and emotional situations in her life deserves a choice. Any woman facing an unwanted pregnancy, which at the best of times is potentially the most difficult period of her life, has the right to choose. She has the right to professional support and advice." The TCD motion was seeking "an unambiguous, fair and democratic situation" for women, she added.
Mr Glen Gibbons (UCG) said abortion was one of the most divisive issues in Irish society. "I believe that legal abortion should be the exception to the rule and not the rule itself."
Ms Noeleen Hartigan (Dublin Central) said the figures available from British clinics showed that 6,000 Irish women availed of legal abortions in Britain every year. "We have an abortion rate. We have a hidden number of women in this State who have had abortions. Let us stop looking at it in absolutes, and let us start looking at it in terms of the reality of women's lives. And let us start the debate in terms of the reality of women's lives."
Mr Fergal Mullally (UCD) argued that Labour Youth could not demand that individuals in the party campaign actively on an issue on which they had strong opinions, whether for or against. "I support open debate on this issue."
But Mr Peter Fitzpatrick (Kildare North) said the Trinity motion was not forcing anybody to campaign for abortion. "It simply states that Labour Youth's policy is that we support a woman's right to choose in very difficult circumstances. I do not like abortion. I think it is an awful, horrible thing. But I do not think that any of us has the right to tell a woman in that situation what she should do. We should leave the choice to women."
Ms Ciairin de Buis (Dublin Mid-West) said: "What we are calling for is freedom of choice. I do not think anybody is in favour of abortion. We do not want to see figures rising, but we do want to ensure all women have the freedom of choice in this State."
