Simon Coveney: Abortion law hard to know by year end

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has cast doubt that new abortion legislation could be passed this year should the people vote yes on Friday, as the Taoiseach has claimed.

Leo Varadkar had said it would be his intention to see legislation, including provision for virtually unrestricted abortions up to the 12th week of pregnancy, cleared through the Oireachtas by the end of the year, but Mr Coveney has signalled that this is unlikely.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Coveney twice stressed that it is “hard to know” if his Government will get the legislation passed.