News, Register for Events and Much More!

4th February 2022
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In this issue:

READ: Minister Donnelly refuses to answer hard questions about Three-Year Review tendering process (#1)

REGISTER NOW: PLC Network Webinar with Deputy Peadar Tóibín TD on the 8th of February (#Webinar)

READ: Unborn babies may feel pain as early as 8 weeks according to new peer-reviewed report (#4)

READ: Pro-life student labelled “bigoted” by her teachers wins right to start right-to-life club (#2)

REGISTER NOW: PLC Communications Workshop on Wednesday the 16th of February from 8PM to 9PM HIRING NOW: Job Vacancies with PLC and SFL (#Jobs)

APPLY NOW: Virtual Internship with the PLC (#VS)
Minister Donnelly refuses to answer hard questions about Three-Year Review tendering process ()
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Minister of State Anne Rabbitte ()
On Wednesday, the Minister for Health sent a junior minister to the Seanad to answer questions on why he reneged on his promise to openly tender for the position of Chairperson of the Three-Year Review of the abortion law.

Deputising for the Minister for Health in the Seanad, Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte read from a prepared script that completely sidestepped the issue of why Stephen Donnelly abandoned the tendering process he promised would happen in order to source an independent chair for the review.

After Minister Rabbitte concluded her remarks, Senator Rónán Mullen thanked her for being present but added: “You have been mistreated as well as the rest of us, Minister, by being given, I would say, a rather duplicitous text to read.”

Senator Mullen was referring to Stephen Donnelly’s refusal to answer questions about his sudden decision last week to bypass an open and transparent tendering process and press ahead with the appointment of barrister Marie O’Shea as chairperson of the review.

In December, Donnelly told the Oireachtas Health Committee that the process of selecting a chair must undergo a public procurement process through the government’s eTenders website. He even acknowledged that, per the advice he received, not to do so would be acting illegally.

Since the appointment of Ms O’Shea last week, however, the Minister has refused to account for his actions and has furnished TDs with completely unsatisfactory answers in reply to parliamentary questions on the issue.

The farce in the Seanad on Wednesday is another sign of Minister Donnelly running for cover. He risks bringing the entire Three-Year Review process into total disrepute before it even gets underway.

You can watch Wednesday’s exchanges in the Seanad here ([link removed])
Register Now for PLC Network Webinar with Deputy Peadar Tóibín TD on the 8th of February (#1)
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Register Now for PLC Network Webinar

Taking place on the 8th of February with special guest Deputy Peadar Tóibín TD, Leader of Aontú.

The discussion will be focusing on the Abortion Three Year Review, An Update, Review and Analysis.

The webinar will also include a discussion on how to make a pro-life submission to the review and much more!

Participation is free but pre-registration is essential.

Register ([link removed]) Here ([link removed])
Unborn babies may feel pain as early as 8 weeks according to new peer-reviewed report ()
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A new report published in The Linacre Quarterly suggests that unborn babies may be capable of feeling pain earlier than is commonly thought - possibly as early as 8 weeks.

Dr. Bridget Thill’s report, “Foetal Pain in the First Trimester,” considered research from medical journals published from 1936 through 2021 and concluded that it “is no longer tenable” to deny the possibility that unborn babies are likely to feel pain at such an early stage.

Dr Thill’s report notes that there are five key pieces of evidence that point to the fact that foetal pain perception has implications for foetal surgery and abortion, and that foetal pain perception begins during the first trimester:
* “The neural pathways for pain perception via the cortical subplate are present as early as 12 weeks gestation, and via the thalamus as early as 7-8 weeks gestation.”
* “The cortex is not necessary for pain to be experienced.”
* “Consciousness is mediated by subcortical structures, such as the thalamus and brainstem, which begin to develop during the first trimester.”
* “The neurochemicals in utero do not cause foetal unconsciousness.”
* “The use of foetal analgesia suppresses the hormonal, physiologic, and behavioural responses to pain, avoiding the potential for both short- and long-term sequelae.”

Meanwhile, a new Marist poll in the US (published in January) shows that 71% of Americans favour more restrictions on abortion and cites ‘foetal pain’ and the concerns people have regarding the possibility that unborn babies may feel pain as one of the main reasons for supporting restrictions on abortion.
Pro-life student labelled “bigoted” by her teachers wins right to start right-to-life club (#1)
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An Indiana high school student whose teachers called her “bigoted” for trying to start a pro-life club won a victory in her case Thursday against the Noblesville School District, according to her attorneys.

Though the student’s lawsuit is not over yet, attorney Zac Kester of Charitable Allies in Indianapolis said they reached a partial agreement with the school district this week to allow the student to begin her pro-life club.

The student taking the case said in a statement: “I wanted to start this club to inspire like-minded students to advocate for our most vulnerable and point students to resources designed to uplift them in their time of need. I knew some people would disagree with me, but I never expected to be attacked online - especially by my teachers.”

Hostility towards students trying to set up college pro-life societies is not uncommon in the US, or indeed in Ireland. The answer of course is not to give in to the radical groups and individuals who are trying hard to suppress freedom of speech and expression. Even if it involves going down the legal route, it is worth doing so to vindicate these basic rights. We need to support these brave students all the way, whether it be offering advice, or assisting them in legal battles, or simply by joining in solidarity with them and letting them know that we’ll always be there for them.
Register Now for PLC Communications Workshop on Wednesday the 16th of February from 8PM to 9PM (#1)
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Register Now for PLC Communications Workshop

Taking place on the 16th of February from 8PM to 9PM.

The workshop will be centred around Explaining the Pro Life Position and Women's Access to Information.

Our workshop series invites volunteers to share their knowledge, develop skills and receive further education and training on right to life issues!

Participation is free but pre-registration is essential as there are only 20 places available. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Register Here ([link removed])
HIRING NOW - Job Vacancies with PLC and SFL (#1)
Do you want to work with a dynamic human rights organisation?
Closing Dates for all vacancies is the 18th of February

The Pro Life Campaign is looking for a Campaigns Officer to join our high performing and growing human rights organisation.

We have an opportunity for an ambitious and passionate individual to help drive high profile, public-facing campaigns to achieve positive pro-life change across Ireland. As a Campaigns Officer you will lead in planning tactics and delivering cross-organisational activities that influence real change in Government and individuals.

For More Information and to Apply Now see here ([link removed])

The Pro Life Campaign is looking for a Media Officer to join our high performing and growing human rights organisation.

We have an opportunity for an ambitious and passionate individual to help drive and foster good media relationships in order to achieve positive pro-life change across Ireland. As a Media Officer you will lead in planning, organising, communicating, and delivering media content across traditional and new media platforms.

For More Information and to Apply Now see here ([link removed])

Students for Life is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual who will contribute to the strategic development of the pro-life movement in Ireland via their role as Student Outreach Officer. This is an exciting opportunity for a suitable candidate who is deeply committed to pro-life activism.

For More Information and to Apply Now see here ([link removed])
APPLY NOW - Virtual Internship with the PLC (#1)

Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?

If you would like, APPLY HERE ([link removed]) to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
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Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.

Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.

Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.

Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.

If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.

Thank you!

Apply Now by filling in the application form ([link removed])
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mailto:[email protected]
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Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]

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