Ministers Reach Agreement On Proposed Protection Of Maternal Life Bill

Ministers have come to an agreement on the terms of the proposed Protection of Maternal Life Bill this evening. The agreement comes after a two-part meeting which was held today by the Cabinet.

According to RTÉ News, in the case of suicidal ideation, the three consultants reviewing the case must all agree before granting a termination of the pregnancy.

The case can be appealed by the woman if the termination is not granted. This appeal would be forwarded to three other consultants who must also be unanimous in their decision.

As initially stated in relation to the bill, the procedures mean that a woman could see up to six doctors in order for a termination of her pregnancy to be approved.

According to a source in Cabinet, there have been substantial changes to the measures and the bill is very different from the one described in earlier media reports.

There have been rumblings within the Fine Gael party that all members were not happy with the legislation, however Enda Kenny has denied there were any issues at the Cabinet meetings. It was the Taoiseach’s intention to have the heads of the bill sent to the Oireachtas Health Committee after approval today.

The draft heads will go to the Oireachtas Health Committee for an extended discussion on the bill before it is presented to the Dáil.

Full details of the legislation are due to be published this evening.