The Government has still not decided how it will vote on a bill allowing for abortions in the cases of fatal foetal abnormalities, after a fresh row.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny “adjourned” the discussion until next week after a heated debate at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.
The Independent Alliance is pushing for a free vote in the Bill being tabled by Independent TD Mick Wallace.
It is understood Mr Kenny outlined the Attorney General’s advice to the Cabinet. Maire Whelan has insisted the Bill is unconstitutional.
The Alliance, which includes Minister for Transport Shane Ross and Minister of State Finian McGrath, have insisted a free vote should be allowed for the Bill.
One Minister said the meeting was “tense”.
The legislation will mirror that presented by his colleague Clare Daly last year. The very specific piece of legislation allows for an abortion to take place in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.
Under the measure, two suitably qualified medical professionals – a perinatologist and an obstetrician – would be asked to in good faith certify if the foetus is incompatible with life.
The bill is to be debated on Thursday, but a vote will not take place until the following week.
Meanwhile, Independent TD Clare Daly says that the conditions under which abortions would be allowed are still very strict under this Bill.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Ms Daly explained: “It’s basically a condition where the foetus has no chance whatsoever. It is not in any way referring to a disability or anything like that. It’s incredibly restrictive, but it is a medical term I suppose - we’re dealing with a foetus that’s going to die either during the pregnancy or immediately upon being born.”
Later on the same programme, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South Kate O'Connell said she did not believe that Wallace's Bill is constitutional. She said that, ultimately, she wanted to see the Eighth Amendment taken from the Constitution.
“This is bad legislation, it cannot lead to the repeal of the eighth Amendment, the only process by which that can happen is through a referendum. That’s my goal.”
Ms O’Connell said she felt that abortion should be a woman’s choice as it is a woman’s body. She also rejected any proposed restrictions.
“How would that be decided? Do you bring a woman with a crisis pregnancy into a room and ask how miserable is your situation? Who is going to ask those questions while all this time the pregnancy progresses?”
The TD also spoke about her own experience with a pregnancy diagnosis of a foetal abnormality at 20 weeks. "We had to wait eight days for test results to see if it was a genetic abnormality. We had to do all the research ourselves. I genuinely felt we would receive advice and counselling. I didn't feel we would have to rely on Google.
“I felt isolated even though we were lucky to have a lot of medical people in our families and the means and resources to deal with our scenario. The prospect of carrying a child for a further 20 weeks that would not survive repulsed me. I wouldn’t have been able to do it physically or mentally. The system has to be changed. We can’t continue like this.”
