Simon Harris may fast-track abortion law

Decriminalising women who seek to have abortions is one of the items Health Minister Simon Harris is looking at fast-tracking into law, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

One of the options being considered is staggering the introduction of elements of the bill.

It is believed that while legislating for access to abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy is the most complex element of what is proposed and will require some time, other items being proposed, such as the decriminalisation of women who access abortions, are less so and could be brought into law before the end of the year.