Repeal of abortion amendment on Labour’s agenda

A referendum to repeal the eighth amendment on abortion will form part of Labour’s election manifesto, but Tánaiste Joan Burton stopped short of insisting holding the vote would be a “red line issue” for joining a new coalition.

Ms Burton said the party needed to decide what framework would replace the amendment, which gives equal legal weight to the life of the mother and the unborn, should voters decide to do away with the restriction.

Fine Gael Health Minister Leo Varadkar has also called for the amendment to go as he claims it produces a “chilling effect” for doctors.