Paul Murphy: Calls to Separate Church and State to Defend Rights
Paul Murphy warned that the overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States is a major blow to the rights of women and oppressed groups and argued it signals threats to contraception, same-sex marriage and same-sex relationships. He urged the separation of church and state in Ireland, called for removal of the church from schools and hospitals, and pressed for abolition of restrictive abortion rules and LGBTQ-inclusive sex education.
Main arguments
Paul Murphy said religious fundamentalists in the US have dealt a major blow to women's and LGBTQ rights through the decision to overturn Roe v Wade. He highlighted an opinion by one judge indicating contraception, same-sex marriage and same-sex relationships could be targeted next and warned trans rights are under attack, including from the media in this country.
Judiciary and referendum
He cautioned against politicising the judiciary and said the separation of powers is partly broken down in the United States, noting the political nature of appointments under the Trump presidency as a factor. He contrasted that with the Irish referendum process, saying the constitution and direct vote by the people are key safeguards.
Abortion policy and assessments
Murphy pressed for concrete changes to abortion policy, asking whether the three-day wait, the 12-week limit and full decriminalisation will be supported. He stressed the need for proper assessment in cases of fatal fetal abnormalities, recounting a case where a healthy baby was wrongly terminated and emphasising the importance of the required two-doctor sign-off being followed.
Church influence and sex education
He argued the Catholic Church has cast a long shadow over access to contraception, abortion, and gay and trans rights in Ireland and asked whether the church will be removed from schools and hospitals. At minimum he urged support for passage of an objective, LGBTQ-inclusive sex education bill through committee stage to ensure inclusive education in all schools.
Local consequences and next steps
Murphy tied international developments to domestic policy, saying Ireland must defend rights at home by separating church and state and by ensuring legislation and clinical safeguards are implemented as intended. He called for vigilance on both legal protections and practical procedures to protect women and LGBTQ people.
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Pesach, Religious Fundamentalists in the US have dealt a major blow to the rights of women and all oppressed groups through the decision to overturn Roe v Wade. The opinion of one of the judges, Clarence Thomas, himself accused of sexual harassment, indicates that contraception, same-sex marriage and even same-sex relationships are next in the targets of the religious right. Trans rights are also under attack, not only in the US but increasingly from the media in this country, despite the very widespread public support for trans rights. In Ireland, it is the Catholic Church that has cast the longest shadow over the human rights of women and LGBTQ plus people, presiding over denial of contraception, abortion rights, gay and trans rights and same-sex marriage. The best way to defend the rights of women and LGBTQ people in this state is by finally separating church and state. Will you support the abolition of the three-day wait, the 12-week limit, the full decriminalisation of abortion? Will you kick the church out of our schools and our hospitals? At a very minimum, will you support the passage of our objective sex education bill through committee stage to ensure objective LGBTQ plus inclusive sex education in all schools? Deputy Boyd Barrett and Deputy Paul Murphy again raised issues in relation to Roe versus Wade. I did make the point earlier in the House that Roe versus Wade are two fundamental issues. One, in this country, we have a referendum process, which is key. I would say in relation to, and also we shouldn't politicise the judiciary ever, and that's what has happened. I think the separation of powers is broken down to a certain extent in the United States. The degree to which people are appointed under politics and how far right they are under the Trump presidency was a factor here. We need to be very careful that we need separation of powers and we don't politicise the judiciary. That's the real lesson from Roe versus Wade, plus the fact that we have a constitution that's far better in terms of referendum by the people. I would finally say that in relation to fatal fetal abnormalities, that we do need to be careful about that. We do need to make sure that what we committed to in the referendum and in the legislation is followed through both ways. You do need to take proper account and have proper assessment. I know of a case where that went wrong. I'm sure you must know of it as well. It has been raised. On the face of it, the proper assessments didn't take place. A baby that was fully healthy, the pregnancy was terminated. That hadn't. I bet the parent is concerned. These issues are never clear. We should make sure that the legislation is there for a reason and it should be followed through, including the need for two doctors to sign. Thank you. That's very important, Deputy. I wouldn't be as dismissive of that as you seem to be. Thank you. That concludes the presentation. Thank you. You
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