Parties split on 12-week abortion limit

The abortion referendum battle for middle Ireland has begun, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members split on whether to allow unrestricted access to terminations up to the 12th week of pregnancy if the Eighth Amendment is repealed.

An exclusive Irish Examiner poll, before a special three-day Dáil and Seanad debate this week and a private Fine Gael meeting today, has found that the two parties are diverging on the repeal issue — and specifically the proposed 12-week limit.

The poll shows 24 Fine Gael TDs and senators back repeal and only five are openly opposed, while nine Fianna Fáil TDs and senators are in favour and 22 are opposed.