Abortion legislation due before Seanad

The Government's proposed abortion legislation is facing yet another challenge in Leinster House today.

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill will come before the Seanad after passing through the Dail on Thursday night.

If the bill is defeated, it may be returned to the Dáil for another vote, tightening the window the government has to pass it before the summer recess.

Several senators have already warned they will seek amendments; changes being suggested include the removal of jail sentences for those who procure abortions and the deletion of the suicide clause.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames says the clause lies to women.

"There's absolutely no evidence that a woman who has suicidal thoughts in pregnancy, or has suicidal intent, that an abortion will cure her," Sen. Healy Eames said.

"So we are deceiving the woman. We are not treating the woman. And by treating her we would be helping her, and more than likely saving her unborn child's life."

Labour Senator Ivana Bacik however said the clause will not be removed.

"It would be utterly unconstitutional to seek to take out reference to suicide as a potential risk to live," she said.

"Particularly given that the Supreme Court judgement in the X case was in fact all about suicide risk.

"We've gone over this ground very thoroughly… certainly I don't anticipate that there will be any deletion of the suicide clause."