Labour questions lack of abortion legislation

LABOUR accused the Government yesterday of failing to introduce promised legislation that would allow abortion if an expectant mother is threatening suicide.

The Taoiseach promised to bring in the legislation a year ago following the defeat of the Government's referendum aimed at outlawing suicide as grounds for abortion.

But 6,935 Irish women have gone abroad for abortions since the referendum was defeated in March 2002 no reduction on the numbers from last year.