Shortall describes abortion legislation as 'abhorrent' as it passes committee stages

Former Minister of State for Primary Care Róisín Shortall has described the lack of gestational time limits in the proposed abortion bill, in cases where the woman is suicidal, as "abhorrent".

Ms Shortall, who previously lost the Labour Party Whip, has called for a referendum on the matter to be held in October.

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill passed it's committee stage last night and will be referred back to the Dáil for the report and final stages next week.

Fine Gael TDs Terence Flanagan, Peter Mathews, Billy Timmins and Brian Walsh all voted against the Bill and have automatically been expelled from the parliamentary party.

Cora Sherlock of the Pro Life Campaign said that the four were simply sticking to pre-election promises.

"The Fine Gael party and the Fine Gael leadership are expelling TDs because they are adhering to what they themselves said to voters before the last election, namely that they would not legislate for abortion."