Varadkar: Irish abortion laws 'too restrictive'
The Minister for Health says women's lives are put at risk because of Ireland's laws on abortion.
Leo Varadkar says countries with rules as conservative as Ireland's mean women are often placed in danger.
It's the clearest hint yet that the government may look at easing Ireland's rules on abortion.
In the Dail tonight, Minister Varadkar says the current constitution is "too restrictive" and has a chilling effect on doctors.
"While it protects the right to life of the mother, it has no regard for her long-term health. If a stroke, heart attack, epileptic seizure happens, perhaps resulting in permanent disability as a result, then that is acceptable under our laws. I don't think that's right.
"Similarly, it forces couples to bring to term a child that has no chance of survival for long outside the womb if at all. Forcing them, against their own judgement, to explain for weeks and months to all enquirers that their baby is dead.
"I have been present at stillbirths. I know it can be handled well and sensitively but I do not believe anything is served by requiring women or couples to continue with such pregnancies should they not wish to do so when there is no chance of the baby surviving," he said.
