The Government has agreed to make the provisions of proposed abortion legislation stricter for threatened suicide than in cases involving a physical threat to the pregnant woman.
Under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, a termination can only be permitted “to eliminate the risk of self-destruction” in cases where the woman is threatening suicide, according to Government sources.
Fine Gael sources said the stricter test on the suicide issue agreed at Cabinet yesterday was crucial in ensuring the planned law did not lead to so-called “abortion on demand”. They said they were hopeful Fine Gael TDs who had reservations about the planned law would now be able to vote for it.
The number of doctors required to decide if a termination can go ahead in cases where a pregnant women is suicidal will be three and a further three if the woman appeals the decision.
However, Fine Gael and Labour sources claimed they were happy with the outcome and had achieved their objectives after Minister for Health James Reilly presented the draft heads of the Bill to Cabinet last night.
A Labour source described the outcome as a “practical and workable solution”. Three doctors will be required to determine whether or not abortion is appropriate in cases when the woman is threatening suicide, and an appeals process will involve three more doctors.
However, the second group of doctors will become involved only in cases where the patient makes the request.
The broad outline of the planned law was distributed to Government backbenchers after 10pm last night and issued to the media at about 10.30pm, with a briefing planned for this morning.
Under the terms of the draft legislation, one doctor will be able to make a decision on whether to terminate a pregnancy in an emergency situation in which a mother’s life is in danger. Where there is a threat from a medical condition such as cancer, two doctors, an obstetrician and the relevant consultant will be entitled to make the decision.
The Cabinet met as normal yesterday morning but was adjourned after four hours in the afternoon so Taoiseach Enda Kenny could attend a jobs announcement and Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil.
The meeting of Ministers resumed at about 5.30pm and at around 8pm agreement was finally reached.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said most Cabinet members wanted to contribute, due to the nature of the matter under discussions.
The draft heads of the Bill will be discussed at Fine Gael and Labour parliamentary party meetings today. Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted “no new rights” will be put in place when the Government legislates for limited abortion.
