Mick Wallace: Courts should decide fate of abortion bill

Independent TD Mick Wallace has said a decision as to whether his bill to liberalise abortion is legal or not should be taken by the courts and not the Attorney General.

Writing in today’s Irish Examiner, Mr Wallace has criticised Government ministers who look set to vote against the bill, based on an opinion from Máire Whelan that it is unconstitutional.

Mr Wallace’s comments come amid uncertainty as to the intentions of Shane Ross, Finian McGrath, John Halligan, and Seán Canney of the Independent Alliance, who have demanded a free vote on the matter.