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Irish abortion bill going to final vote in lower house TDs debate final stage of Life During Pregnancy Bill
(about 2 hours later)
The last in a series of votes on allowing limited abortion in the Irish Republic is expected in the lower house of the Irish parliament later. The final debate on a bill allowing limited abortion in the Irish Republic is under way in the lower house of the Irish parliament.
Members of the Dáil, are taking part in the last in a series of votes.
The final vote on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill is expected in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The bill allows for a termination when three doctors unanimously agree that a woman is at risk of taking her life.The bill allows for a termination when three doctors unanimously agree that a woman is at risk of taking her life.
More than 160 amendments have been tabled.
Anti-abortion activists say the measure could lead to more widespread abortion.Anti-abortion activists say the measure could lead to more widespread abortion.
Others argue the bill is too limited as it does not allow for terminations in cases of rape or incest, or when there is a foetal abnormality.Others argue the bill is too limited as it does not allow for terminations in cases of rape or incest, or when there is a foetal abnormality.
Nor does it allow for termination when the foetus cannot survive outside the wombNor does it allow for termination when the foetus cannot survive outside the womb
Anti-abortion campaigners say that the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill will allow the intentional killing of the unborn for the first time in the Irish Republic. Anti-abortion campaigners say that the bill will allow the intentional killing of the unborn for the first time in the Republic of Ireland
For them, in a largely Catholic country, it is not just a religious but a human rights issue as they believe that in any pregnancy the mother and foetus have equal rights to life.For them, in a largely Catholic country, it is not just a religious but a human rights issue as they believe that in any pregnancy the mother and foetus have equal rights to life.
UncertaintyUncertainty
Members of parliament (TDs) who support access to abortion say the bill ignores the fact that, on average, 11 women leave the country every day for an abortion in Britain.Members of parliament (TDs) who support access to abortion say the bill ignores the fact that, on average, 11 women leave the country every day for an abortion in Britain.
Since a Supreme Court ruling in 1992, known as the X case, abortion has been constitutionally available where a woman's life, as distinct from her health, is at risk from the continued pregnancy. Since a Supreme Court ruling in 1992, known as the X case, abortion has been constitutionally available when a woman's life, as distinct from her health, is at risk from the continued pregnancy.
X was a suicidal 14-year-old schoolgirl who had been raped by a neighbour and was initially prevented from leaving the country for an abortion in Britain.X was a suicidal 14-year-old schoolgirl who had been raped by a neighbour and was initially prevented from leaving the country for an abortion in Britain.
Since then the credible threat of suicide is, constitutionally, regarded as grounds for a termination.Since then the credible threat of suicide is, constitutionally, regarded as grounds for a termination.
But in the intervening years, until now, no government has introduced legislation to give doctors legal certainty on when an abortion can be carried out.But in the intervening years, until now, no government has introduced legislation to give doctors legal certainty on when an abortion can be carried out.
And that uncertainty provided part of the context for the Savita Halappanavar case.And that uncertainty provided part of the context for the Savita Halappanavar case.
She was a 31-year-old Indian dentist who was admitted to hospital in Galway in October 2012 while miscarrying.She was a 31-year-old Indian dentist who was admitted to hospital in Galway in October 2012 while miscarrying.
FailuresFailures
She died a week later from septicaemia.She died a week later from septicaemia.
Her request for an abortion was turned down.Her request for an abortion was turned down.
Her inquest heard that she could not get a termination at the time because her life was not in danger but, by the time her life was at risk, an abortion would have been too late to save her.Her inquest heard that she could not get a termination at the time because her life was not in danger but, by the time her life was at risk, an abortion would have been too late to save her.
Her inquest also heard there were systems failures in her health care.Her inquest also heard there were systems failures in her health care.
The Fine Gael-Labour coalition government says its proposed legislation will bring the law and constitution into line.The Fine Gael-Labour coalition government says its proposed legislation will bring the law and constitution into line.
In a vote last week, the government had an overwhelming 138 to 24 vote majority.In a vote last week, the government had an overwhelming 138 to 24 vote majority.
It is expected to have another very comfortable majority later but it may not be quite as large.
Last week, four Fine Gael TDs defied the party whip and voted against the bill.
They were immediately expelled from the parliamentary party.
There is considerable media interest over whether the junior minister with responsibility for European affairs, Lucinda Creighton, will join them.
An anti-abortion supporter, she has put down a number of amendments that the coalition seems set to reject.
In her contribution last week she alienated many in Fine Gael by mentioning "group think" on the issue and many of her colleagues believe she will have no option but to vote against the measure and lose her ministerial job.
Once the bill completes its passage in the lower house, the Dáil, it will go to the upper house, the Seanad.
Thirty-five thousand people marched through the streets of Dublin last weekend to protest against the measure but the controversial bill is still set to become law by the end of this month.