PR: Lisa Chambers tells untruth for second time on abortion regret

Today, the Fianna Fáíl TD Lisa Chambers issued a half-baked apology to the women she had hurt when she said abortion regret was a "makey-uppy" thing.

Ms Chambers words caused huge offence and distress, with many women taking to social media to express their hurt and anger. One video response from Patricia Gaughran, who spoke about her attempts to take her own life after her abortion, has already received 30,000 views in less than 48 hours.  https://www.facebook.com/10000...

Deputy Chambers did not retract her allegation,however,  but said that her remarks had been taken out of context. 

However, that apology contained another untruthful claim. 

Deputy Chambers said she had made the deeply offensive statement because in the course of the Dáil debate it had "been suggested that abortion regret is an accepted medical condition and her intention was to highlight that it's not a medical term."

But that is not true. 

Life Institute spokeswoman Niamh Uí Bhriain said that a review of the Dáil record on the day showed that no-one had made such a claim. 

"We looked at the transcript   of the Dáil debate for the day, and at no stage in the debate did any TD say that abortion regret was a medical condition or a medical term. Lisa Chambers is simply trying to excuse her appalling remarks, but she is not being truthful in her claim, and she should be challenged by the media on this," said Ms Uí Bhriain 

"It's worth looking at what was actually said in the debate, because it reveals the mindset of both Deputy Chambers and of Deputy Kate O'Connell, and their callous disregard for women who regret abortion and do not suit their abortion narrative.," she added. 

Peadar Tóibín: "We represent citizens who have told us they have experienced abortion regret." 

Lisa Chambers:  "Abortion regret is a makey-uppy thing, and it does not exist.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín: "The ultrasound is useful for establishing the gestational age of the unborn child, which is necessary, and the woman will be asked whether she wants to see it. It is included in the amendment because abortion regret is a significant issue.

Deputy Kate O'Connell: No, it is not. It is nothing.

An Ceann Comhairle: Will Deputies please stop interrupting the Deputy in possession

Deputy Kate O'Connell: Deputy Tóibín is making up abortion regret.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín: Why must the Deputies shout down people with different opinions? If they did not shout, people would be finished here already

Deputy Peadar Tóibín: Abortion regret-----

Deputy Kate O'Connell: Abortion regret does not exist.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín: People may disagree with me about abortion regret

Deputy Kate O'Connell: It is not a condition. It is made up

Deputy Peadar Tóibín: It is clear that some Deputies have certain views about abortion regret. I have been told by many women that they have experienced it.

Deputy Kate O'Connell: They all come knocking on the Deputy's door.

An Ceann Comhairle: There is something fundamentally undemocratic in refusing to allow people speak, simply because one is in disagreement with them. Deputy Tóibín, without interruption.

"Both Lisa Chambers and Kate O'Connell should apologise for their appalling remarks and their attempts to dismiss and silence the many thousands of women who have suffered regret, anxiety and despair after abortion. Their much-vaunted concern for women is clearly restricted only to the women who agree with them on abortion," said Ms Uí Bhriain 

END