Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney was evasive when asked his views on the French President calling for abortion to be added to the EU Charter of Human Rights.
The matter was raised in a Parliamentary Question submitted by Aontú leader Peadar Toibín TD.
The question asked Minister Coveney “his views on the call by the President of France to include abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for abortion to be added to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. https://t.co/xPVewlQdKd
— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) January 19, 2022
Coveney’s Department replied that Macron had given an overview on “a range of issues” during his speech in January.
“In a wide-ranging address, President Macron expressed a view that the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights should be updated so as to be more explicit about certain issues including ‘environmental protection and recognition of the right to abortion,’” the Department’s reply read.
“Naturally, any proposed amendments to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights would require very extensive consideration and debate and would need the agreement of all Member States.
“As no concrete proposals are in place, the Government has not yet given this matter consideration. Furthermore, the Department of Health is the lead Department in respect of Ireland’s policy on sexual and reproductive health rights.”