Labour TD to propose new fatal foetal abnormality bill today
A Labour TD who has drafted a bill on fatal foetal abnormalities said the hardship of a diagnosis is worsened by the laws surrounding terminations here.
The bill, by Clare deputy Michael McNamara, will be presented to the Dáil today.
Under the current laws, pregnant women who do not wish to carry to term, must travel abroad to receive a termination for medical reasons.
Deputy McNamara's proposals would allow for a termination of pregnancy in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities.
Labour TD Michael McNamara, says he wrote the bill after speaking to families who were affected by a diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality.
"I've attended various meeting with what I'd consider very brave couples who had to travel to England to receive medical services in the case of a pregnancy where they were given the diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality," he said.
"Their difficulty, their sorrow, was compounded by the fact they had to travel … because [of] the nature of the law in Ireland."
Last month, a bill on fatal foetal abnormalities by Independent TD Clare Daly, failed a vote because TDs thought it was unconstitutional.
