Abortion legislation: Confusion over numbers and make-up of committee

There is disagreement on the make-up and numbers for a special Oireachtas committee that will now examine Ireland’s abortion laws and decide the terms for a possible referendum.

Government and some opposition figures say there will be 20 members on the new body, made up of 16 TDs and four senators.

However, a letter from the cerk of the Seanad to senators yesterday confirmed there would be seven senators on the committee, which could bring its numbers up to 23.