08/07/2013

Dáil To Debate Abortion Bill Amendments

Over 60 amendments to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill are to be discussed by the Dáil in the coming week, with Minister for Health James Reilly saying he hopes to address all concerns.

It is understood that a number of Fine Gael TDs have said they will not support the Bill while it contains a suicide as a reason for permitting a termination.

Speaking on RTÉ's This Week, Mr Reilly said: "There has been a number of people who perhaps have been concerned that it wasn't clear about the importance of protecting the life of the unborn.

"That has been made very clear with amendments that will be coming forward and I think that's important."

However, while he would not be drawn on discussing any particular amendment, he appears to have ruled out adopting an amendment to remove reference to suicide.

He added: "If it was the intention to omit an entire section, no, that is not something that will happen."

(MH/CD)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

02 October 2013
Fr Doran Resigns From Mater Hospital Board
Following confirmation that the Mater Hospital in Dublin would abide by the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, Fr Kevin Doran has resigned from the hospital's Board of Governors and the Board of Directors. Fr Doran had previously said that as a Catholic hospital, the Mater could not comply with the new law as it against its ethos.
11 July 2013
Dáil Abortion Bill Debate Enters Second Day
The Dáil debate over the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013, ran well beyond its expected finish time, and may now not be completed before Thursday night at the earliest. The vote was expected to have been completed by midnight on Wednesday, but with some 165 amendments put forward that timeframe came and went.
27 October 2016
Fianna Fáil & Sinn Féin Slam Govt Over Amendments To Anti-Fracking Bill
Both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have criticised the government's amendments to a proposed anti-fracking bill. Fianna Fáil Communications, Environment and Natural Resources Spokesperson, Timmy Dooley TD has said that he, and his party, support the proposed legislation to ban fracking, and would not accept the Government's amendment.
26 June 2015
Govt Water Charge Amendments 'Underhand And Sneaky' – SF
New proposals put forward by the government that would impose restrictions on people selling their homes if they have resisted paying water charges, have been described as "underhand and sneaky".
19 December 2014
Dáil May Sit For Further Debate On Water Services Bill
The Dáil may have to meet again next week to debate new amendments to the Water Services Bill, pending the outcome of a Seanad debate, which resumes this morning. It is understood that the Bill passed its first Seanad debate on Thursday with 31 cotes to 26.