Mattie McGrath: Highlights 'chilling' 250% rise in 2023 abortions
Mattie McGrath addressed Department of Health figures showing over 10,000 abortions in 2023, which he said are the highest since the law changed in 2019. He described the rise as "chilling" compared with 2018 and urged the government to prioritise information and support for women in unplanned pregnancies.
Statistics released
The Department of Health released the total number of notifications for abortions carried out in Ireland in the previous year, which McGrath cited as the highest number on record since the law changed in 2019 and as evidence of a significant rise.
Comparison with 2018
McGrath highlighted a steep increase from 2018, saying the 2023 total represents a 250% rise from the 2,879 abortions recorded in 2018, the year before the law changed.
Critique of government promises
He criticised senior government members and the Tanaiste for having promised that abortion would be rare after the referendum, noting that 66% voted yes in that referendum and asking what had happened to those assurances.
Call for information and support
McGrath warned that "front gates have opened" and argued that women in unplanned pregnancies need to be provided with information on "antennas to abortion" and that this provision should become a government priority.
Government response
A respondent in the debate said the people decided in the referendum and that governments must uphold that decision. The respondent outlined measures that have been provided and funded, including free contraception up to the age of 35, education interventions and a substantial reduction in teen pregnancies.
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The Department of Health released the total number of notifications received last year for abortions carried out in Ireland. It shows that there were 10,933 abortions in 2023, the highest number on record since the law changed in 2019. The 10,033 abortions in 2023 represents a chilling 250% increase from the 2,879 abortions that happened in 2018, the year before the law changed. Senior members of your government, Tanaiste, who oversaw the introduction of the new abortion regime, promised, like what happened in America, that would be rare if people voted yes in referendum. People did vote yes, 66% of them, many of them would be rare and legal and safe. What has happened? Front gates have opened, so women in unplanned pregnancies need to be provided with information on antennas to abortion, and that has to become a priority for your government. Up to one minute. Can I just first of all say to the Deputy, the people decided in terms of the referendum, and governments and political parties of all decision must uphold the decision of the people in terms of legislating for what was decided in a constitutional referendum. That said, a whole range of measures have been provided and funded, the free contraception up to the age of 35 is a very significant measure, an enhancement on what went before, and many, many interventions in terms of education and so forth in dealing with this issue. There has been a substantial reduction in teen pregnancies, for example, and so forth, because of a range of measures.
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