Varadkar must match Micheál Martin’s courage

The speech given by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin in the Dáil on Thursday relating to the country’s abortion laws was nothing short of remarkable, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

As leader of one of the most conservative parties in one of Europe’s most conservative countries, his decision to back a significant liberalisation of our abortion laws was a courageous one, even if somewhat late.

He said that, not only does he support removing the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution, he also supports the recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Ammendment that abortions be made legal in all cases up to 12 weeks.