Call for end to ‘insulting’ language in abortion debate

Ministers have demanded that campaigners on both sides of the abortion argument call a halt to their “insulting” language.

Joan Burton, the social protection minister, led the condemnation after Taoiseach Enda Kenny revealed opponents of legislating for the X-case ruling had branded him “worse than Herod”.

Ms Burton said such castigation using biblical references was damaging the national debate on the issue.