Hollow debate leaves pregnant women empty-handed

Dáil discussion on allowing mothers the right to travel to the UK for an abortion in the event of fatal foetal abnormalities was disingenuous. No action will be taken and parents will continue to suffer, writes Shaun Connolly

THE Dáil was simultaneously at its best and worst yesterday during a debate on allowing women trapped in fatal-foetal pregnancies to seek a termination at home rather than endure the harrowing journey to England and back.

It was the parliament at its best because it was a passionate, informed debate about something that actually mattered; it was the Dáil at its worst because absolutely nothing will come of it — it was all talk and no action.