Row erupts over ‘token’ access to abortion law hearings

A row has erupted over a series of hearings on abortion legislation to be held by the Oireachtas next week.

Even before the first meeting begins, advocacy groups are complaining that they have been locked out of the hearings or given inadequate time to make submissions.

The Oireachtas Committee on Health is holding three days of intense hearings, to be broadcast live on the TV and the internet, and reporting back to the Government.