‘England’s proximity meant Ireland did not have to legislate for abortion’

If it was not for England being so close, Ireland would have had to legislate for abortion years ago due to the number of women who would have died in “backstreet” terminations here, the Dáil heard.

Labour TD Robert Dowds made the claim as the Dáil debated the impact of Savita Halappanavar’s death. A Sinn Féin emergency motion to legislate for the X-case judgment in the wake of Mrs Halappanavar’s death was easily defeated by the Government, as ministers insisted they would bring legal clarity to the situation shortly.

In an emotional contribution, Sinn Féin’s Cork North Central TD Jonathan O’Brien said he was opposed to abortion as he and his wife had “watched helplessly” as a life they had created “slipped away” on more than one occasion, but he felt medical termination should be available in some circumstances.

Party colleague Padraig MacLoughlain insisted that abortion should be an option in cases of rape, incest and sexual abuse.

“I wouldn’t and couldn’t ask anyone to bear the child of a rapist,” he said.

Demonstrators demanding legislation to deal with the 20-year-old X-case ruling again held a vigil outside the gates of Leinster House.

The Sinn Féin motion called for legislation to protect pregnant women when their lives were in danger and to give certainty and protection to doctors involved in such cases.

However, it was not voted on, as firstly TDs voted by 88-53 to deal with a Government amendment, and then passed that amendment 90-53. It is understood Róisín Shortall abstained in the first vote.

Sinn Féin’s tabling of the emergency debate caused tension in its own ranks, with TD Peadar Tóibín, refusing to sign its motion.

Some Government TDs accused Sinn Féin of “using” the death of Mrs Halappanavar “for political gain”, but Independent Wexford TD Mick Wallace said it was wrong to accuse Sinn Féin of “opportunism” in tabling the motion, as the party would have been accused of “cowardice” by critics if it had done nothing.

Meanwhile, there was disquiet at a parliamentary party meeting that swifter action was not being taken to clarify the legal position resulting from the X-case.

However, speakers acknowledged conservative elements within Fine Gael needed to be engaged with, and there was opposition at being seen to act due to what was called Sinn Féin “opportunism” in holding the Dáil debate.

Labour TDs said it was necessary to separate out the need for X-case legislation from the planned inquiries into Ms Halappanavar’s death.

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