Ahern: No plans to amend abortion legislation
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, says he has no plans to amend Ireland's legislation on abortion in light of the latest challenge being taken in the High Court.
Mr Ahern was responding to questions about Miss D, who is seeking permission to travel to England to terminate her pregnancy.
The 17-year-old, who is in state care, is four months pregnant with a child that cannot survive due to a brain defect.
Mr Ahern said today that the case was sad and he hoped the teenager would be treated compassionately.
However, he also said he had no intention of changing the law to clarify the uncertainty that currently exists in relation to abortion.
Children's Minister Brian Lenihan, meanwhile, said no opposition party had come up with any better solution than the constitutional amendment rejected by the electorate in 2002.
Elsewhere, Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte said today that he hoped Miss D would be allowed travel to Britain for a termination and it was his party's policy to draw up new legislation on abortion.
