Simon Harris rejects Mick Wallace’s abortion bill as unconstitutional

Health Minister Simon Harris says legislative proposals by a TD for abortions to be allowed in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities are “unconstitutional” but added that he thinks the current situation is “totally unacceptable”.

His comments come as the Cabinet looks set to decide whether or not to allow a group of Independent Alliance Ministers a free vote on the Dáil motion next week.

Alliance member and junior minister Finian McGrath last night told the Irish Examiner that the group may in fact back down and not support the Dáil motion, if they as a majority decide to heed legal advice on it.