Divisive row breaks out at cross-party committee on abortion as Coppinger labels Fianna Fáil 'dinosaurs'

The cross-party committee examining Ireland's abortion laws is set for a divisive meeting this afternoon after Fianna Fáil was accused by Ruth Coppinger of being "dinosaurs" for attempting to block an early repeal vote on the issue.

A divisive row has broken out at the cross-party committee examining Ireland's abortion laws after Fianna Fáil was accused by Ruth Coppinger of being "dinosaurs" after an ard fhéis vote opposing any change to the eighth amendment, writes Fiachra O'Cionnaith.

Rhe claim was made after Ms Coppinger and Sinn Féin members Louise O'Reilly, Jonathan O'Brien and Paul Gavan called for an early vote in the committee on the issue on Wednesday afternoon, despite Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael saying no vote should be held yet.