Plan to allow Oireachtas to decide abortion legislation

A referendum proposal, repealing the Eighth Amendment which prohibits abortion, and instead allowing the Oireachtas to decide future laws, is expected to be agreed at Cabinet.

Follow-up legislation to allow for terminations unrestricted in pregnancies up to 12 weeks is also expected to be backed by a majority of Cabinet members at the special meeting this evening.

Health Minister Simon Harris will bring the two proposals before his colleagues, as well as an intention to put the ‘repeal and replace’ vote before the people by the end of May.