Health Minister Leo Varadkar at odds with James Reilly over abortion vote

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has clashed with his predecessor, James Reilly, by saying he does not want Ireland’s strict constitutional abortion law to be removed entirely, as it would “let the Dáil and Seanad do whatever they like”.

The Fine Gael minister contradicted his cabinet colleague after a week which has seen the abortion debate reopen within the party.

Speaking on RTÉ radio after a week dominated by ex-health minister and now Children’s Minister Mr Reilly’s view that Ireland must hold a referendum on abortion and that the eighth amendment may need to be scrapped, Mr Varadkar said he is not in agreement with his colleague.