Ireland – Dáil rejects Social Democrats abortion reform Bill

Two Government Ministers abstain while three backbenchers support move to committee stage

Marie O’Halloran
Wed May 13 2026

The Social Democrats abortion reform Bill was defeated in the Dáil on Wednesday by 85 votes to 30, with 36 abstentions, including all Sinn Féin TDs.

Government TDs had a free vote on the Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill as a matter of conscience.

While a majority rejected the legislation, Fine Gael TDs Grace Boland and Barry Ward voted in favour of moving the Bill to committee stage, as did Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2026/05/13/free-vote-matter-of-conscience-for-government-tds-on-abortion-reform-bill/