THE REPORT OF the expert group on abortion is expected to be published later today after Health Minister James Reilly brings it to Cabinet this morning.
The much-delayed and heavily-leaked report was delivered to the Minister earlier this month and copies have also been given to the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.
It deals with how to implement the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the case of A, B, and C versus Ireland in 2010 which found that there is a gap in the theory and implementation of the right to a lawful abortion in Ireland, a right given under the 1992 Supreme Court X Case ruling.
This ruling provided for abortion for women when their lives are in danger, including from the risk of suicide. No legislation has ever been passed to give effect to this ruling.
The report will be discussed at Cabinet today before it is published by the government but its content has been heavily leaked to the media in recent days with much of what it says now in the public domain.
The report sets out the options to deal with the ECHR ruling including the introduction of non-statutory guidelines, statutory regulations, legislation only or legislation plus regulations.
The report appears to come down in favour of the final option, legislation plus regulations, saying that this would fulfil the requirements of the ECHR ruling.
Yesterday Taoiseach Enda Kenny ruled out the possibility of Fine Gael TDs been given a free vote in a vote on any legislation that is introduced following a call from one junior minister, Brian Hayes.
There is said to be considerable doubt among a number of Fine Gael backbenchers about allowing for abortion in Ireland in the case of risk of suicide, with some believing this could lead to abortion on demand.
Kenny did tell reporters in Wales during a meeting of the British-Irish Council yesterday that his government would deal with the report and the issues it raises “as soon as is practicable to do so”.
Meanwhile the Dáil will tonight debate a private members’ bill being brought forward by United Left Alliance TD Clare Daly that would legislate for the X Case.
A similar bill was defeated by the government last April but Daly has said she has since made the changes that were outlined by Reilly in the Dáil at the time and the bill will be voted on tomorrow.
It is almost certain that the proposed legislation will be defeated by the government majority with the Health Minister instead likely to outline plans the government has to bring forward its own measures.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say