Dáil to debate abortion recommendations after motion defeated

The Dáil Technical Group's private member's motion calling for legislation for the X Case, was last night defeated by 101 votes to 27.

The Bill would have allowed for the termination of a pregnancy, when a woman's life was at risk.

Sinn Féin TD Peadar Toibín, who controversially broke ranks with his party last week when he said he could not support the Bill because he is pro-life, was not in the chamber for the vote.

Speaking in the Dáil last night, the Health Minister James Reilly said the four recommendations put forward by the expert group on abortion will now be debated.

He said a Bill will be put in place in the coming weeks which has cross party support.