Enda Kenny manages to dodge the Eighth Amendment bullet

The deal with Independents means there will be no decision on the divisive abortion issue under the Taoiseach’s watch, writes Political Correspondent Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

Is it a sensible move by Government fire-proofing against further opposition destabilisation attempts, or a blatant political bid to avoid real leadership just when it is needed most?

That is the question echoing through Leinster House this week after Taoiseach Enda Kenny and senior Fine Gael ministers once again side-stepped a key issue that is increasingly central to Irish political and social debate.