Dáil to debate new abortion legislation today
The Dáil is set to debate legislation on fatal foetal abnormalities today, despite the attorney general's assertion that is unconstitutional.
The Cabinet is understood to be divided on the proposals - with Independent Alliance Ministers calling for a free vote.
The legislation from Deputy Mick Wallace would allow abortion in cases where the foetus has a profound disability and is not expected to survive.
Minister for Disability, Finian McGrath, says families need to be put at the forefront of the debate.
"The view of the Independent Alliance is that our first option is we would prefer a free vote, because within the Independent Alliance we've always respected each other's views in relation to fatal foetal abnormality," he said.
"There are different views within the Alliance, so our position is that we'd like, and we hope, that we could have a free vote on this particular piece of legislation."
The Coalition to Repeal the Eight Amendment is backing the legislation.
Spokesperson Alibhe Smyth says the Government needs to proactively deal with the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities.
"Well, I think that this is a very important Bill, for the good and simple reason that women and couples who are experiencing, have a diagnosis, of a very serious foetal anomaly which means that the foetus won't survive the pregnancy, or only for the shortest possible time after birth, this is a really, really, deeply distressing situation and we do need in this country to resolve this now promptly," she said.
A former Master of the Rotunda Hospital has said that Irish women's freedom to travel to the UK for an abortion may be in doubt after the UK's Brexit vote.
A total of 26 abortions were carried out in Ireland last year under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.
Three of the terminations were carried out due to the risk of suicide, while nine resulted from medical emergencies.
Leading obstetrician and former head of the Rotunda, Sam Coulter Smith, believes our current laws are working.
"It provides reassurance for doctors that they are working within the law, and it also reassures patients that the medical profession can act in the interests of a mother and protect her life in these most difficult of situations."
