Election may disrupt new legislation for abortion – FF

A SENIOR Fianna Fáil TD has agreed with Health Minister Simon Harris that a general election could disrupt the passing of legislation on abortion.

But Stephen Donnelly said his party is committed to the confidence and supply arrangement with Fine Gael and he believes it will be possible to legislate for terminations during the current Dáil if the referendum is passed.

Mr Harris is preparing legislation that would allow abortions without restriction as to the reason up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy.

However, at the weekend he conceded that the timing of a general election could be an issue in passing the law in the Dáil. Mr Harris insisted he believed legislation could be passed if the parties stuck to the confidence and supply deal. He said: “If there is a genuine commitment on both sides... it should provide adequate time.”

Mr Donnelly, Fianna Fáil’s new health spokesman, said it could take several months for the Oireachtas to scrutinise legislation allowing for abortion if the Eighth Amendment is repealed in the referendum.

He said if there was a general election shortly after the referendum such a Bill would fall and it would be up to the following Dáil to pass it. But he added: “Fianna Fáil is committed to honouring three budgets, provided the Government honours its commitments.

“As such, it should be possible to pass the required legislation in this Dáil.”