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THE TAOISEACH TOLD the Dáil this morning that the vote on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 will be held at midnight today.
But first, deputies will hold debate and mini-votes on 165 tabled amendments throughout the day. Proceedings are due to get going at 11.50am for just an hour and 40 minutes but will resume during two further sessions – the first between 4.40pm until 7.30pm.
The last debate on the proposed legislation will take place from 9pm to midnight, when a final vote will be called regardless if every amendment has been discussed and voted on.
This so-called guillotining of the legislation was criticised by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin during a discussion in the Chamber this morning. In response, Enda Kenny said he didn’t object to extending the time but added that he was “going to get rid of it this evening”.
So, what exactly are they voting on?
The Bill is currently at Report Stage (after completing Second and Committee Stages in recent weeks). During this period, all sitting deputies can suggest amendments and each is discussed and voted on in the Dáil.
A total of 165 amendments have been tabled by TDs, with a number coming from the Minister for Health himself. During the day, each individual amendment is voted on. Some are grouped together for discussion if they are deemed similar enough.
Once the debates are complete, deputies will vote on the entire piece of legislation. There is normally a ‘Final Stage’ vote but this has been included in tonight’s ‘Report and Remaining Stages’ vote.
As Dáil rules generally favour the government, the Ceann Comhairle will stand at midnight and declare that because the time limit, it is proposed that all the report stage amendments proposed by the Minister are accepted, that all other amendments are defeated; that the bill is passed at report stage, and that the bill is passed at final stage.
The question will then be: “All in favour, say Tá [Yes]“.
If there are 10 or more deputies intent on voting against the government, a complete vote will be held.
If approved, that’s the end of TDs debating the matter. The Bill will then move to the Seanad where Senators will have their chance to table amendments and discuss the proposed laws.
Once the Seanad signs off on it, the Bill is sent to the President. Michael D Higgins would usually have between five and seven days to sign it into law but this period can be circumvented if the Government deems it necessary, and the Seanad approves it. This procedure has been used often in the past, notably during the debate on the IBRC legislation when the Bill was signed into law barely an hour after the Seanad passed it.
However, President Higgins could also convene the Council of State if he has fears that the legislation could be unconstitutional.
How are people voting?
All eyes are on Minister of State Lucinda Creighton who has signalled her strong opposition to the Bill. She has suggested a number of significant changes but they are likely to be rejected at this stage. If she is not satisfied and votes against the government, she will lose her position as European Affairs Minister, as well as the Fine Gael party whip.
Four other TDs from Fine Gael who have been sitting on the fence – James Bannon, John-Paul Phelan, Michelle Mulherin, and John O’Mahoney – are now more likely to vote for the Bill, following assurances from the Minister that it is as restrictive as it can be.
At least 13 Fianna Fáil deputies will vote against the Bill again – as they did last week during second stage. Others set to oppose the legislation in votes today are Sinn Féin’s Peadar Tóibín and six independent deputies Michael Healy-Rae, Noel Grealish, Mattie McGrath, Michael Lowry, Colm Keaveney, and Denis Naughten.
It is understood that a number of Independents and members of smaller political parties – who are in favour of legalising abortion services in Ireland- could vote against the legislation. Speaking to TheJournal.ie before entering the Chamber, Deputy Richard Boyd-Barrett said he will decide once he sees how today progresses.
The Dublin deputy has tabled 40 amendments, including one to allow for terminations in the case of fatal foetal abnormalities. He said it was “outrageous” that women in such situations have to travel for treatment.
“It depends on the Minister’s amendments. Anything could happen,” he said. “The Minister’s amendments represent a severe restriction, a further restriction on a woman’s rights.”
What does the Bill include?
The Bill allows for lawful terminations where there is a risk to life of the mother. The Taoiseach has took pains to assure the public and fellow politicians that it does not create any new rights.
It outlines that a termination can be carried out by a registered medical practitioner at an appropriate location if there is a “real and substantial risk” of the mother losing her life. Two doctors are required for sign-off on the procedure unless it is an emergency case and the risk is immediate.
The controversial suicide clause allows for a termination where there is a risk to life from self-destruction. In such a scenario, the law will require sign-off from three doctors – one obstetrician/gynaecologist and two psychiatrists. It also details a review procedure if the woman is not satisfied with the initial outcome. The appeals panel will consist of three more doctors.
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High time but good to see nonetheless.
@ecrowley ecrowley: it’s a bog state, for a bog people.
@brian o’leary: The Bogside.
Bualadh bos. Should have been bilingual from day 1. Some unionists still needing to be dragged kicking toward equality.
@Anthony Curran: like the Israelis
@You Cant Be Serious: That’s antisemitic bro. Don’t you know that you can’t say anything negative about the genocidal maniacs or you’ll be labelled antisem…..oops, I did it again. Israeli shill pile on incoming!
@Anthony Curran: Even if they installed Scots Gaelic signage on display in Belfast some Unionists would still complain even though some of their fellow Unionist brethern are fluent Scots gallic speakers from places like Hebrides
So it should. It’s in OUR country.
@Luas Vuitton – Penneys Drag Queen: I don’t understand. Northern Ireland is not part of this country?
@peter white: as long as Ireland is an Island it forever will be.
@peter white: last time i checked it was in Ireland
@Phillip Smyth: There is no rule of law written anywhere that says an island has to be one country . Infact if history had happened differently the island of Ireland today could be broken up into more than one country . Ireland before the Norman conquest of 1169 was not one country . It was an island divided up into 5 provinces that was broken up into 150 kingdoms . The 32 counties came about between the 13th and 17th centuries. Wicklow being the last county in 1608 . The ROI that exists today is a breakaway state of the UK that form its own government and became an independent 32 county Irish nation for the first time in the history of the island of Ireland. Ireland has only ever been one nation in what is the UK today .
@Jack Moss: there was still a high king over the 5 provinces
Wount be long now until we all on the one road
@Kevin O Brien: singing the same anthem Lol.
I don’t know why but I was thinking about Ian Paisley Snr when I read this and what his reaction would be, with him being so bitter, a poison chalice.
@Phillip Smyth: oh, the irony of a multi account troll calling a political figure that’s deceased over a decade ‘ bitter & poison ‘……. Hilarious, LOL
@Buster Lawless: I’m not a troll Buster!!!!
@Phillip Smyth: but if you’re not the real Buster you are.
@Phillip Smyth: the bog people have come along way since paisley’s day.
@brian o’leary: are you taking about Londonderry or Derry, or country folk.
@Phillip Smyth: talking
@Phillip Smyth: I think he was referring to all taig’s.
@brian o’leary: ethnic slurs.
@Buster Lawless: if you are the real Buster, you accused me of this in the past and then apologized do you remember.. if you do you remember speak now or forever hold your piece, ready and cocked.
I can see the local loyalists loving the new signs. There was torture when they pulled down King Billy’s bridge that he his horse shat on..
Signs heading towards south: “Welcome to Ireland. How’s it Going?” Signs heading elsewhere ‘Welcome to Norn Ireland. What about ya!”
@Larry Betts: Signs to Dublin . What’s the story .
@Jack Moss: Lol. I had that in my original draft,but then shortened it! “Welcome to Dublin. Wats da story. Hope yiz all have a blast,see ya around”
@Larry Betts: welcome to Cork boy.
I fear no problem with whatever language it is written in. I have skills in recognising and translating many foreign languages. My skills with the usage and intricacies of many different tongues have often led to me being lauded as an expert cunning linguist.
@Larry Betts: Maith a Fir.
I was up North last week…… Must say it’s a fantastic station, very well laid out.
Hope it is in English for us southerners.
@Sammydavissenior.: You mean Jackeens?
@Gaelactico: Jackeens & Bog warriors.
No point in having Irish luangage in a foreign country like the North its the UK and they live under the king.
@Rian O’Sullivan: it’s the island of Ireland separated, thank god we are surrounded by water like Trump said to Zelenskyy there is an ocean between us.
@Rian O’Sullivan:At least the ‘luangage’ they speak is different from the language our High Kings of Tara spoke. From the Royal county of Meath.
@Rian O’Sullivan: Rian ‘Traitor’ O Sullivan.
Tá sé in am don Ghaeilge sa tsaol oifigiúil agus gnó i dtuaisceart Éireann! Maith sibh!
as long as it does get compulsory people should have a choice.
Not sure many youngsters really care about having it in Irish too, it’s not spoken or understood by most even my age. But if it keeps the peace stick it up
@Derek O Gorman: Speak for yourself. Ní thuigeann tú.
” North of Ireland ” … one day , Ireland will be whole again . If our Orange brethren don’t like the idea , they’ll get used to it eventually.
Republic of Ireland citizens are trying to get exemptions from Irish in schools
If you have to do something you rebel against it ,if you don’t have something you rebel to get,human nature
I hope some of the locals don’t head to the nearby Indian restaurant and ask them to “curry my yoghurt”.
have your say