Ireland's Parliament Approves 'Life-Saving' Abortion Friday July 12,2013

Lawmakers in the Republic of Ireland have voted to legalise abortion under certain conditions for the first time, following a marathon debate

In a 127-31 vote in the Dail, they backed allowing a termination when doctors deem that a woman is at risk of taking her own life.

Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his coalition government pushed through the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill, which will allow for abortions only when a woman’s life is under threat if her pregnancy continues or if she is suicidal

The Bill was voted through early morning, shortly before 12:30 am (local time), by 127 to 31 against after marathon discussions on 165 amendments.Members of parliament (TDs) backed the proposal shortly after midnight on Friday - after two hotly debated sessions.

Still, those who support access to abortion say the bill ignores the fact that, on average, 11 women leave the country every day for an abortion in Britain.

Prime Minister Enda Kelly’s move to back the bill which allows access to abortion when a woman’s life is in danger, including the risk of suicide has provoked a strong backlash in the predominantly Catholic country. The premier has lost five of his 76 deputies to the abortion debate, compared to one over controversial economic austerity measures.

The upper house which is dominated by Enda Kelly’s Fine Gael party is expected to rubber stamp the bill making it law.


Opponents say the bill - which still needs the upper house's approval - could lead to more widespread abortion

Anti-abortion campaigners say that the bill will allow the intentional killing of the unborn for the first time in the Republic of Ireland

Note
Since a Supreme Court ruling in 1992, known as the X case, abortion has been constitutionally available when a woman's life, as distinct from her health, is at risk from the continued pregnancy.
X was a suicidal 14-year-old schoolgirl who had been raped by a neighbour and was initially prevented from leaving the country for an abortion in Britain.
Since then, the credible threat of suicide is, constitutionally, regarded as grounds for a termination.