Allowing abortion in fatal foetal cases dominates debate

Calls to allow abortions in cases where a baby has no chance of survival outside the womb dominated last night’s Dáil committee meeting on amendments to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

Health Minister James Reilly came under strong pressure from Government and opposition TDs to consider legal opinion that terminations should be allowed in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities — or commit to dealing with the issue at some stage in the future.

The Oireachtas subcommittee on health last night began examining proposed amendments to the legislation, allowing abortion in limited circumstances — after the general provisions of the law were passed in the Dáil by 138 votes to 24.