Government must await outcome of committee hearings on abortion, Shatter says

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said the Government must await the outcome of an Oireachtas health committee hearing before considering changes to proposed abortion legislation.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio this morning, Mr Shatter said the committee, chaired by Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer, was "engaging in a consultative process" which must be allowed to continue.

Fine Gael anti-abortion backbenchers are seeking three amendments to the proposed Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, including a “gestational cut-off point” after which terminations cannot be performed in cases where the mother is suicidal, a “review” of the legislation after 12 months if abortion figures escalate, and legal representation for the unborn child if a woman is granted a termination on grounds of suicide.

Over the weekend, Fine Gael chairman Charlie Flanagan said backbenchers would be allowed to introduce amendments to the proposed legislation, which could set the party on a collision course with Labour, which is determined that the Bill will pass through the Oireachtas unamended.

Mr Shatter said abortion is “an issue that gives rise to as we know a lot of emotion and controversy”.

“The heads of the bill have been very carefully crafted to meet the very difficult issues that must be addressed in an understanding and sensitive way. Very substantial work has been done on the heads of the Bill, and like all members of cabinet I agreed to its publication and I await the outcome of the committee,” he said.