Ireland: Varadkar will have a fight on his hands to pass 12-weeks legislation

Varadkar will have a fight on his hands to pass 12-weeks legislation
Even if abortion referendum passes, Dáil will be another battleground

Feb 3, 2018
Pat Leahy

A third in favour, a third against and a third that has yet to declare its hand. That is, roughly, how the Dáil looks when it comes to the proposal to legalise abortion on request up to 12 weeks.

The survey of TDs’ attitudes cannot be taken as the definitive word on their voting intentions. The legislation has yet to be published. It may never come before the Dáil, if the referendum is defeated. If it passes, the political context within which these decisions are made will be changed. And people will change their minds; many of them will change them more than once.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/varadkar-will-have-a-fight-on-his-hands-to-pass-12-weeks-legislation-1.3378194


Ireland: TDs are evenly split on 12-weeks abortion proposal

TDs are evenly split on 12-weeks abortion proposal
‘Irish Times’ survey raises doubt over whether such legislation would pass in Dáil

Feb 3, 2018
Pat Leahy

TDs are deeply divided on the proposal to introduce abortion on request up to 12 weeks, an Irish Times survey has found, and there is significant doubt over whether proposed abortion legislation would command a majority in the Dáil.

The Government has said it will introduce legislation to give effect of the findings of the Oireachtas Committee on abortion if the forthcoming referendum to abolish the Eighth Amendment, which bans abortion is almost all circumstances, is passed.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/tds-are-evenly-split-on-12-weeks-abortion-proposal-1.3378189


Ireland: Dáil abortion debate ends abruptly as Government TDs absent when quorum called

Dáil abortion debate ends abruptly as Government TDs absent when quorum called
McGrath condemns lack of attendance as disgraceful in debate called for 10pm

Tue, Jan 23, 2018
Marie O'Halloran, Michael O'Regan

The Dáil debate on abortion was cut short because not enough Government TDs were present when a quorum was called.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath called the quorum which requires 10 Deputies to be present. He said it was a disgrace that there were so few TDs present in the House for the debate on the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/d%C3%A1il-abortion-debate-ends-abruptly-as-government-tds-absent-when-quorum-called-1.3366303


Abortion debate: Ireland’s most Catholic times were its ‘least Christian’

Abortion debate: Ireland’s most Catholic times were its ‘least Christian’
Minister of State opposes ‘purposeful destruction’ of a viable pregnancy

Jan 18, 2018
Michael O'Regan, Marie O'Halloran

Ireland was at its least Christian point during its most Catholic years, Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell has told the Dáil debate on abortion.

Ms O’Connell, who supports the repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees the equal right to life of the unborn, said the position of the Catholic Church had been sewn into the Constitution in 1937, two years after the sale, advertising and importation of contraceptives was banned.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/abortion-debate-ireland-s-most-catholic-times-were-its-least-christian-1.3360353


Ireland: Harris raises Kerry babies and Lovett cases in abortion debate

Harris raises Kerry babies and Lovett cases in abortion debate
Minister for Health: 3,265 women from every county had travelled abroad for abortions last year

Wed, Jan 17, 2018
Marie O'Halloran

Abortion is a reality for women living in Ireland and is an issue that is not going to go away, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said.

“Ultimately, there is always a deeply personal, private story behind each individual case which I believe is a matter for a woman and her doctor. I believe the Irish people trust women and they trust doctors to make these difficult decisions.”

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/harris-raises-kerry-babies-and-lovett-cases-in-abortion-debate-1.3358750


Ireland: Abortion vote tracker: check how TDs and Senators plan to vote in referendum

Abortion vote tracker: check how TDs and Senators plan to vote in referendum
We ask every TD and Senator if they want the Eighth Amendment repealed

Jan 13, 2018
Pat Leahy Political Editor

For many months, Irish Times/Ipsos polls have shown an overwhelming majority of the public are in favour of at least some liberalisation of Ireland’s strict anti-abortion laws. Now a survey of TDs shows these attitudes are reflected in the Dáil.

The Dáil will back a repeal of the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits abortion in almost all cases, by a huge majority, according data compiled by The Irish Times for our Abortion Referendum Tracker.

Continued at source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-vote-tracker-check-how-tds-and-senators-plan-to-vote-in-referendum-1.3353498