Ireland Begin Moves To Change Abortion Law

The Irish government gave its consent on new abortion laws to be drawn up following a historic referendum that overturned a constitutional ban in the predominantly Catholic country.

The government hopes the new laws will be in place by the end of the year, after Friday’s landslide referendum vote.

“Received government approval today to draft the new law following the decision of the people,” Health Minister Simon Harris tweeted.

“This is one of three important pieces of work we need to undertake, the other two being clinical guidelines and regulation of medicines. Work under way! Let’s get it done.”

he wants the bills to be published in few weeks, after which it will be put to the lower and upper houses of parliament.

Ireland voted by 66 percent in favour of repealing a ban on abortions after an emotional campaign, which saw women of all ages share stories about having to travel across the Irish Sea to England for the procedure.

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, a former doctor who used to oppose terminations, called the referendum a “quiet revolution”.

According to the government’s proposals, abortion would be allowed on demand in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and between 12 and 24 weeks in cases of fatal foetal abnormality or if the mother’s health is at risk.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Varadkar said the government wanted to legislate as quickly as possible.

However, he added: “We don’t want to rush it.”

“It’s important that we act with haste but not so much haste that we put through bad legislation.”