Ministers firmly reject X case referendum move

Moves to force a referendum on the X-Case legislation have been rejected by government ministers.

The idea was floated by TDs and senators opposed to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill currently going through the Dáil. They pointed to a constitutional procedure which allows the president to refuse to sign a bill and, instead, call a referendum on an issue if urged to do so by one third of TDs and a majority of senators

However, as it is unclear whether anti-X case legislation TDs will have the numbers to even force a Dáil vote on the bill this week, as it takes 10 TDs to insist on a division and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has made it clear the Cabinet would rather the matter went through on the nod.