Cautious welcome for compromise abortion deal
In a deal cautiously welcomed by Labour backbenchers, but received more cooly by Fine Gael representatives, a woman seeking a termination on suicidal intent grounds will need the unanimous agreement of three consultants — two psychiatrists and an obstetrician.
However, if the woman is declined an abortion, she can then appeal that decision to a panel of three more doctors — who must again then rule unanimously.
A day of delays saw the Cabinet meet twice to hammer out the main points of the legislation.
The proposed legislation would see one doctor required to certify a termination of pregnancy in a medical emergency.
Two doctors will be required in the case of a non-emergency — and if a woman’s request for a termination is declined in that situation, her appeal would be heard by two more experts.
The nature of the appeals process for any woman citing suicidal intent who is refused an abortion proved the final source of tension in the Coalition, with the specific wording of the legislation involved a sticking point after days of intensive negotiations.
The Fine Gael leadership hopes the suicidal appeals process — and need for unanimity among consultants reviewing the first decision — will prove sufficiently robust to satisfy a block of TDs threatening to rebel over the issue.
However, Labour sources insisted the deal represented a softening of Fine Gael’s previous more hardline stance.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he hoped that the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 would become law by the summer.
“No new rights are being conferred here, but legal clarity and certainty will be given.
“This is about saving the lives of women and their unborn babies, with due regard to what the Constitution actually says and what was determined by the Supreme Court,” he told the Dáil.
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said it was time to deal with a “divisive” issue.
“People, including me and many others, are wrestling with their consciences about the right and appropriate thing to do.”
Europe Minister Lucinda Creighton, an outspoken critic of the inclusion of suicidal grounds for termination, denied facing a dilemma between her beliefs and career.
“I have never had any issue with coming down on the side of my own moral judgment in any issue, so I think that’s not a dilemma for me at all.”
Cork TD and chairman of the Oireachtas health committee Jerry Buttimer said he hoped the body would begin hearings into the proposed legislation tomorrow.
A Dáil vote on the issue is not expected until July.
Mr Kenny will now try to sell the draft legislation at Fine Gael’s parliamentary meeting today, where it is bound to provoke intense debate.
