Opposition backs move to legislate for X

Moves to legislate for the X case ruling were widely welcomed by the opposition as Dáil parties pledged not to “play politics” with the issue.

Sinn Féin health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin backed the Government’s decision to opt for legislation with regulation.

“A combination of robust primary legislation and regulations, in careful balance, would seem to be the optimum approach,” he said.

“We must legislate. That is the task that the Oireachtas must now face up to. All teachtaí dála have an obligation to address this need and to step up to the mark as legislators. There is no selfish political advantage in this for any party.

“We have to approach this challenging issue with compassion and understanding and respect, conscious of strong and sincere views held on all sides.”

The United Left Alliance urged for the legislation to be brought in as speedily as possible.

“The Government must now move swiftly to legalise abortion where continuing a pregnancy would put a woman’s life at risk, as required by the X case ruling,” the ULA said in a statement.

“The legislation must include full recognition that the risk of suicide is as significant as any other risk to life arising from pregnancy — as recognised by the Supreme Court and by the majority of mental health practitioners.

“The vast majority of the population agree that a risk to the health of a woman should be grounds for the right to an abortion. The majority also think a woman should be able to terminate a pregnancy arising from rape or incest, or where the foetus has a fatal abnormality.

“Many think that it should be up to a woman, in consultation with her doctor, to decide if she should continue with a pregnancy. We support all of these arguments — which give women the choice.”

Fianna Fáil health spokesman Billy Kelliher said his party would not “play politics” with the issue of the X case ruling.

Pro-life Fine Gael TDs such as Peter Mathews expressed caution and said they would need to see details of the legislation before deciding how to vote.

Draft bill

The Government accepted the expert group’s option that the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the A, B and C v Ireland case be implemented by way of legislation with regulations, within the parameters of Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court in the X case.

The process of drafting heads of a bill and draft regulations will follow the Oireachtas health committee considering the matter in January.

A bill will be brought before the Dáil but TDs will not be offered a free vote on the matter.

The Government says its aim is to bring legal certainty to when a termination is permissible in cases where there is a real and substantial risk to the life, as opposed to the health, of a woman.