Committee expected to back repealing the Eighth

The Oireachtas abortion committee is widely predicted to vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution and replace it with new laws allowing for abortions in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy when it meets this afternoon.

The 21-person committee is expected to vote in favour of the measures before drawing up a “short and concise” recommendations report for the Dáil and Seanad on Friday, which will likely form the basis of next year’s referendum question.

Despite opposition from within the committee and two of Fianna Fáil’s five committee members telling today’s Irish Examiner they are not in favour of the extent of the potential changes, the group is expected to vote for the reforms.