Abortion legislation report to be published

The Cabinet is likely to approve the legalisation of abortion up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy in the new year, in line with the report of the committee of the Eighth Amendment.

The committee’s report, to be published today, is to recommend a series of changes to abortion legislation.

Among the proposals include repealing Article 40.3.3, also known as the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which recognises the equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child. Such a repeal would allow the Oireachtas to legislate and decriminalise abortion in the State.