Government ‘may not get’ to legislate even if Eighth repealed

This Dáil may never get to legislate for abortion even if the people vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment, ministers are privately warning.

Such is the precarious nature of the minority government, there is deep rooted opposition to the concept of unlimited access to abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, and there is a growing feeling that this administration is not robust enough to get the law changed.

“We may never get to vote on this,” one senior minister told the Irish Examiner. “Even if the Eighth is repealed, and it is a big if, will this Dáil pass the 12-week rule?