19/05/2008

Libertas Accused Of 'Abortion Lie'

The Irish Alliance for Europe has accused its rivals, Libertas, of lying on national TV.

The accusation comes as a response to comments made by the Libertas founder Declan Ganley.

Speaking during a debate on TV3’s The Political Party, Mr Ganley claimed the Lisbon Treaty would have an impact on Ireland’s abortion policy.

Brendan Kiely, Director of the Irish Alliance for Europe, said: "Enough is enough, either the lies and scaremongering end from Libertas or action must be taken.

"What makes this even more ridiculous is the Libertas leaflet, which has been distributed nationally, contains this very lie on an issue that has nothing to do with this debate.”

Mr Kiely called on the Libertas leader to make an apology and a retraction to the Irish people, saying: "It is the least we deserve."

The Irish Alliance for Europe, which is campaigning for a yes vote on the treaty said the treaty had no implications for the Ireland’s present stance on abortion.

He said: "As we outline on both our leaflet and our website we in the Irish Alliance for Europe are absolutely certain the Irish constitutional position [on abortion] can be in no way altered by the passing of the Lisbon Reform Treaty. This can only happen if the majority of the Irish people decide so in a referendum."

(DW)


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