Committee split over calls for early vote on abortion

The cross-party Oireachtas committee examining the abortion laws is split over calls for it to issue an early formal show of support this week for repealing the Eighth Amendment.

The move — which would see the committee vote on repealing or retaining the amendment at the end of each of its three modules, the first of which ends on Wednesday — is outlined in motions from pro-choice members, due to be discussed at a private meeting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil delegates strongly backed the retention of the Eighth Amendment at a divisive Ard Fheis debate.