Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

Mick Wallace's bill on fatal foetal abnormalities has been defeated

It was defeated by 95 votes to 45.

A BILL WHICH would have allowed for abortions in situations where a child would not live outside the womb has been defeated.

The bill would have provided for two suitably qualified medical professionals (an obstetrician and a perinatologist) to jointly certify in good faith that the foetus in question is suffering from a fatal foetal abnormality.

Today in the Dáil it didn’t receive the votes necessary to pass, losing by a margin of 95-45. That is despite being backed by Minister for Transport Shane Ross and junior ministers John Halligan and Finian McGrath, who voted against government advice.

It had the support of Sinn Féin, the Green Party, the AAA-PBP, the Social Democrats and some independents, but was opposed by Fine Gael and most Fianna Fáil TDs.

Fianna Fáil’s Robert Troy, Lisa Chambers, Timmy Dooley, Fiona O’Loughlin and Niall Collins all voted in favour of hearing the bill, according to Today FM’s Gavan Reilly.

With Wallace’s bill done for now, a bill calling on the government to hold a referendum on the repeal of the Eighth Amendment will be debated in the next three months. It was moved by Ruth Coppinger last week.

More to follow

Read: Explainer: What is Mick Wallace’s abortion bill and why is it causing so much controversy?

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
306 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds