Ireland

Leo Varadkar says Eighth Refereundum Yes vote will not lead to abortion on demand

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it is only a matter of time before a woman dies in the Republic using abortion pills bought on the internet
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it is only a matter of time before a woman dies in the Republic using abortion pills bought on the internet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it is only a matter of time before a woman dies in the Republic using abortion pills bought on the internet

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that abortion in the Republic would not be unrestricted if Irish citizens vote to liberalise laws relating to the termination of pregnancy in next week's referendum.

"It won't be unrestricted and it won't be on demand," Mr Varadkar said. "No woman who is experiencing crisis pregnancy will be able to go into the pharmacy and bang the table and demand abortion pills. Not that I think anyone would ever do that."

He said a number of restrictions were planned including a requirement that women have to see a doctor and wait 72 hours before making the decision.

He added that the doctor will also have to confirm that the pregnancy is less than 12 weeks.

Mr Varadkar was speaking on RTE Radio One about the upcoming referendum.

Leo Varadkar has said it is only a matter of time before a woman dies in the Republic due to using abortion pills bought over the internet.

Mr Varadkar said women are buying abortion pills online and some of them are using them unsafely.

"It's only a matter of time before somebody loses their life as a result of taking one of those pills over the internet. It has happened in other countries," the Taoiseach said.

He asked people to bear that in mind when they vote.

"Let's not wait for this to happen and if there is a no vote on Friday I think it's only a matter of time before somebody haemorrhages or bleeds to death or dies as a result of using these pills unregulated," Mr Varadkar said.