Joan Burton takes credit for action on abortion law

A referendum to liberalise Ireland’s abortion laws is now all but certain to take place, irrespective of who wins the general election, as a citizen’s convention for next year has been promised.

In a move which is sure to anger many, Tánaiste Joan Burton last night claimed credit for Fine Gael finally tackling the controversial Eighth Amendment.

She said Labour’s lead on wanting to liberalise the country’s abortion regime had forced Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil into action.