The Journal reports that Irish Government Ministers will
this morning hold their first discussions on the contents of draft legislation
which will legally permit abortion in certain circumstances.
The legislation, being brought forward by health minister
James Reilly, follows the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling in 2010 in the
A, B and C case – where it was ruled that Ireland’s failure to clarify the
circumstances in which an abortion could be carried out.
A key point of debate for ministers will be discussing
exactly how many medical professionals will be involved in deciding when an
abortion can be permitted.
It was reported on Sunday that one draft of the legislation
would require pregnant women to be assessed by six medical professionals,
including two obstetricians and four psychiatrists, including one perinatal
psychiatrist – plans which prompted ire from some, who said the prospect of a
six-member panel.
However, Reilly said yesterday that the legislation would
not require six professionals to be consulted. The report of the Expert Group
formed to respond to the A, B and C case had suggested a panel of three
professionals.
Though the matter is expected to be up for discussion when
ministers hold their weekly Cabinet meeting this morning, it is not clear
whether ministers expect to reach a conclusion on the matter.
Justice minister Alan Shatter, who will miss today’s meeting
to chair a meeting of EU defence ministers in Luxembourg, told RTÉ’s Morning
Ireland it was important that the legislation did not raise “unreal barriers”
stopping women from accessing life-saving treatment if it was needed.
“It is important that we have a legal architecture in place
so that women understand what the position is, and what assistance is available
to them, and so no confusion arises between members of the medical profession,”
he said.
Shatter added that the government’s timetable of having the
legislation in place by the summer recess – when the Dáil breaks for the summer
in mid-July – was still “readily achievable”.
