Abortion Bill must be be enacted before summer break

The Abortion Rights Campaign (ARC) has welcomed the news that the Protection of Maternal Life Bill is to be published by Dáil Eireann but has demanded that the Bill becomes law before the Oireachtas takes its summer break.

ARC Spokesperson Sarah Malone said: “ARC considers this a huge step towards finally legislating to protect the lives of pregnant women, and welcomes the commitment from government to introduce legislation in line with the X Case ruling of 21 years ago.

“ARC members are disappointed with the delay, given that every day women’s lives are being left at risk due to the chilling effect of the current legal framework.

“Along with the Council of Europe, we were expecting to see the published bill this month, and the legislation enacted by July.

“We are calling on the Minister for Health James Reilly to publish the Heads of Bill immediately, alongside a legislative timetable and implementation plan.”