Martin backs proposed bill on abortion

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said he personally supports proposed legislation allowing abortion in limited circumstances, which he said is “consistent with the pro-life position”.

He is to hold one-to-one meetings with members of his parliamentary party who have concerns about the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill in an effort to reach a consensus on supporting it in a Dáil vote.

But securing an agreed position “is going to be very difficult”, he said. “People have very genuine issues about this and some have said it was an issue of conscience for them.”