Ireland: Sinn Féin ‘will not vote against’ free access to abortion up to 12 weeks

Sinn Féin ‘will not vote against’ free access to abortion up to 12 weeks

Ellen Coyne, Senior Ireland Reporter
December 11 2017

Sinn Féin will not vote against free access to abortion up to 12 weeks, its spokeswoman on health has suggested.

Louise O’Reilly said her party would record its dissent if the Oireachtas committee on the Eighth Amendment recommends legalising terminations for all women. The committee is holding its final meeting on Wednesday when it will hold a vote on what kind of abortion law would follow the repeal of the state’s constitutional ban on abortion in next year’s referendum.

Continued at source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sinn-fein-will-not-vote-against-free-access-to-abortion-up-to-12-weeks-5jg3ll979

12.12.2017

fatal fetal abnormality

Ireland: Simon Harris: It would be ‘desirable’ to use Oireachtas abortion committee’s findings for referendum

Simon Harris: It would be 'desirable' to use Oireachtas abortion committee's findings for referendum

Monday, December 11, 2017
By Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

Health Minister Simon Harris has backed calls for the Oireachtas abortion committee's findings to be used as the template for next year's eighth amendment referendum despite claims substantial changes could be made before a vote.

Mr Harris said such a move would be "desirable" and "obviously makes sense", despite noting this is "just my gut answer" and that he will need to wait until the exact recommendations are agreed over the coming days.

Continued at source: http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/simon-harris-it-would-be-desirable-to-use-oireachtas-abortion-committees-findings-for-referendum-818237.html

11.12.2017

Ireland: No restriction on abortion in first 12 weeks, say TDs

No restriction on abortion in first 12 weeks, say TDs

Stephen O’Brien, Political Editor
December 10 2017

The Oireachtas committee on the eighth amendment is likely to vote in favour of abortion without restriction in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy when it agrees its final report on Wednesday.

Committee sources say there appears to be a majority in favour of accepting the recommendation of the citizens’ assembly that termination of pregnancy, without restriction, should be lawful up to 12 weeks’ gestation.

Continued at source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/no-restriction-on-abortion-in-first-12-weeks-say-tds-vkdrmtlf9

Ireland: Three FF committee members want to make abortion available up to 12 weeks without restriction

Three FF committee members want to make abortion available up to 12 weeks without restriction
Submission recommends GP-led service up to 12 weeks for terminations without reason

Dec 9, 2017
Sarah Bardon

Three Fianna Fáil members of the Oireachtas committee on the Eighth Amendment have called for it to support making abortion available up to 12 weeks without restriction.

In a joint submission to the committee, Senator Ned O’Sullivan and TDs Billy Kelleher and Lisa Chambers outline their belief that terminations should be accessible when the life and the health of a mother is at risk. There should be no distinction between the mental or physical health of the mother, they add.

Continued at source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/three-ff-committee-members-want-to-make-abortion-available-up-to-12-weeks-without-restriction-1.3320733

Large majority favours changing Constitution on abortion

Large majority favours changing Constitution on abortion
Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI Poll finds support for repeal consistent among supporters of all parties

Sat, Dec 9, 2017
Pat Leahy, Sarah Bardon

A large majority of voters favours changing the Constitution to provide for greater access to abortion, the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll finds.

Asked about the prospect of the referendum on the Eighth Amendment next year, 62 per cent said they would vote in favour of changing the Constitution to allow the Oireachtas to legislate for greater access to abortion, the poll finds.

Continued at source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/large-majority-favours-changing-constitution-on-abortion-1.3320833

09.12.2017

abortion waiting periods

Ireland: ‘Vital’ that abortion not be a crime, says Zappone

‘Vital’ that abortion not be a crime, says Zappone
Minister’s vexed remarks come as committee reviewing amendment set to make proposals

Dec 7, 2017
Kitty Holland, Sarah Bardon

Abortion should be legal, safe and freely available to anyone who needs it, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has said.

In her strongest comments to date, Ms Zappone said the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution must be removed and should not be replaced with other constitutional wording.

In a speech delivered at Dublin City University on Thursday evening, the Minister said decriminalisation of abortion was “vital”, while the 2013 Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act needed to be replaced with a law “under which abortion is safe, legal and available to all who need it”.

Continued at source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/vital-that-abortion-not-be-a-crime-says-zappone-1.3319483

07.12.2017

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Ireland: Abortion committee nears conclusion but far from consensus

Abortion committee nears conclusion but far from consensus
Members agree on holding referendum, but diverge on scrapping Eighth Amendment

Dec 6, 2017
Sarah Bardon

The Oireachtas committee examining the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution is nearing its final conclusions – but a consensus is far from clear.

The 20-member committee has spent the past three months hearing from experts, and will vote on its final report, which must be submitted to the Dáil by December 20th.

Continued at source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-committee-nears-conclusion-but-far-from-consensus-1.3316913

Ireland: Eighth Amendment Committee accused of acting pro-choice

Eighth Amendment Committee accused of acting pro-choice
Updated / Sunday, 3 Dec 2017

The Pro Life Campaign has accused the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of acting like a "pro-choice advocate".

The Committee is reviewing the recommendations made by the Citizens' Assembly on changing Ireland's abortion laws.

The Pro Life Campaign held its national conference in Dublin today where speakers from a broad range of backgrounds gave presentations.

Continued at source: https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2017/1203/924688-pro-life-conference/

Ireland: GPs may be free to issue abortion pills

GPs may be free to issue abortion pills
Ellen Coyne, Senior Ireland Reporter

November 29 2017
The Times

The government will review the possibility of GPs offering abortion pills in the event of the law changing next year.

The Department of Health has also confirmed that anti-abortion agencies that refuse to be regulated under new laws could be banned from giving crisis pregnancy advice.

Continued at source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/gps-may-be-free-to-issue-abortion-pills-mwmbmsq7t

Ireland: Abortion referendum set for delay if election held before Christmas

Abortion referendum set for delay if election held before Christmas
Social-welfare increases and public-service pension restoration also hit

Fri, Nov 24, 2017
Marie O'Halloran

The abortion referendum is likely to be delayed if a general election is triggered by next week’s no-confidence motions in the Dáil. The work of the Oireachtas group dealing with abortion, the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, will also fall once an election is triggered.

Social-welfare increases and the restoration of public-service pension payments are set to be delayed as well. But the cuts in the universal social charge, the sugar tax on sweetened drinks, and all the measures in the Finance Bill will go ahead, as the Bill has completed its passage through the Dáil. The Seanad remains in place after the Dáil is dissolved and can deal with the Bill’s measures.

Continued at source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum-set-for-delay-if-election-held-before-christmas-1.3304538

24.11.2017