Pro-lifers criticise Irish government for sending children abroad for abortion Pro-life campaigners have criticised the Irish government for sending children abroad for abortion. Patrick Buckley of European Life Network, Dublin , said: "It is with great sadness that we have learned of yet another pregnant minor being sent abroad by the new Health Services Executive for an abortion. It is completely unacceptable that any organ of the Irish State should operate outside the Constitution and the Supreme court. It now appears that at least four teenage girls in the care of the Health Executive and former Health Boards have been taken abroad to abort their babies. "The State appears to be willing to go even further than the Supreme Court decision in the X case by taking pregnant minors in their care abroad for abortion. In 2003 the then Minister for Health and Children Micheal Martin said that the State would pay for foreign abortions for teenagers in care. 'We cannot stop parents bringing their children abroad for abortions. Why would we put an obstacle in the way of health boards who are acting in loco parentis?' he asked. "It is extremely disappointing that once again the Government has failed to support the lives of the most vulnerable. "Article 40.3.3 of the Irish Constitution says 'The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right." Quite clearly the right to life of these four babies was not acknowledged, respected, defended or vindicated. They were simply terminated. "Pro-lifers expect the Government to do all in their power to encourage parents to support their daughters during unintended pregnancies and to uphold the law as it stands."