Minister for Mental Health: Gambling with women’s health is not responsible

The possibility of unrestricted access to abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy if the Eighth Amendment is repealed has moved a step closer after another Government minister said he is backing the plan.

Minister for Older People Jim Daly confirmed he will vote in favour of 12 weeks if the Dáil is asked to vote on the potential new law after the referendum, saying that despite his Catholic faith the issue can no longer be pushed “underground” to the detriment of the “silent Savitas” in Irish society.

In a detailed statement released by his office yesterday morning, the Cork South West TD said that after considering the issue and reading the Oireachtas abortion committee’s evidence he believes the Eighth Amendment is not helping Irish women.