Abortion: Dáil passes abortion bill to remove three-day wait

Earlier, the Minister for Children Norma Foley said she would vote against the legislation.

Speaking before the vote, she said the current law was “part of what was put to the people” during the abortion referendum in 2018.

Meanwhile, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said he believes that there is “no public appetite” to remove the three-day wait.

Also voting against the bill, Fine Gael TD Peter Roche said he was informed by the number of women who change their mind during the three-day wait period.

The Labour Party called on the government to go further and implement all the recommendations made in the review of abortion legislation by barrister Marie O’Shea in 2022.

In her review, O’Shea also recommended removing the threat of criminal sanction for medical professionals found to have acted outside the provisions of the abortion legislation.

Abortions are also allowed if two doctors determine there is a condition likely to lead to the death of the fetus either before or within 28 days of birth.

O’Shea also recommended removing that 28-day mortality clause.