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SENATORS HAVE VOTED against an amendment to the ‘abortion bill’ that would have allowed for termination in the case of fatal foetal abnormality.
The amendment to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 was tabled by Senators Fiach Mac Conghail and Mary Louise O’Donnell.
The amendment was defeated by 42 votes to 10.
It would have inserted a section making it lawful to carry out a medical procedure in respect of a pregnant woman:
in accordance with this section in the course of which, or as a result of which, a pregnancy is ended, where— (a) the medical procedure is carried out by an obstetrician at an appropriate institution, and (b) subject to section 19, two medical practitioners, having examined the pregnant woman, have jointly certified that the foetus in question has a fatal foetal abnormality.
The amendment would have also allowed for termination of pregnancy in cases of rape, incest, and inevitable miscarriage.
The discussion on this amendment lasted for around three hours, and saw heated debate and numerous points of orders being brought up by senators.
Voting
Fianna Fáil’s Averill Power and Mary White were the only members of their party to vote in favour of the amendment. Fianna Fáil members have a free vote on the issue.
No Fine Gael members voted in favour of it.
Those who did vote in favour were:
The discussion covered the issues of what constituted fatal foetal abnormalities – with some senators objecting to the discussion by others of Down Syndrome and disabilities, pointing out they were not fatal foetal abnormalities.
Senators Ronán Mullen and Jim Walsh said they had spoken to people who were conceived as a result of rape, and this had contributed to their rejection of the amendment.
Senator Ivana Bacik spoke of why the amendments were constitutionally outside the remits of the bill itself.
Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames rejected assertions that she made “a value judgement” on two sets of women who had decided on different approaches to their diagnoses of fatal foetal abnormality.
Senator David Norris spoke about the length of the discussion on the amendment, alleging it was “a political sleight of hand” to try and “force a guillotine through”.
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The man has the intellect and complexion of a can of Fanta.
@Diarmuid: Thats desperately unfair to fanta .
@Diarmuid: you would have a better chance of getting run over by a submarine whilst crossing the road than this guy sorting the mess out.
@Diarmuid: In fairness that has given me a great laugh. Nicely put Diarmuid.
Why make Iran out to be the bogey man?Most of the problems in the area are caused by American plans to destabilise the middle east for the good of Israel.
@Paul Mc: Isreal would have much preferred Assad in Syria than Sunni Jahadi groups there now….Iran proxy army is much more powerful now because of Syria..Hezbollah….If was at behest of Sunni Saudi Arabia and Qatar that Obama armed the moderate Jahadis in Syria not Isreal…
@John003: thank you. A bit of balance around here is welcome.
The Jews are not behind every world conflict as some like to make out.
Save it? Not a chance. Accelerate its demise, most certainly.
Its very doubhtful considering he is more likely to cause a war.
*2 hours later*
*The remains of Jerusalem smoulder as the nuclear ash falls”
NOBODY KNEW PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST WAS HARD. NOBODY.
Think maybe he will want to build a hotel and golf course there instead.
Ehhh NO
That’s akin to asking can Bell Enda solve Irelands problems.
Well many US presidents have failed before him so no disgrace if his name is also added to the list.
But there again, Donald thinks outside the box so who knows.
Bloody amazing if he did.
Can’t see the Palestinians supporting an alliance against Iran….HAMAS which would win a Palestinian election if there ever is one …..Have big Iranian support….Also Hezbollah is fighting on behalf of Palestinians with Iranian support…..Isreal would not want to get involved in Sunni /Shia religious wars….They have enough problems of their own….
I’d love to see the odds from PaddyPower, accumulator; Trump secures peace in Middle East & Mayo wins All-Ireland. Worth a quid maybe.
Just like Tony blair…
@Dave Thomas: Tony Blair the great Middle East Peace Envoy you mean?
Not if he’s involved.
Sure Tony Blair has it all sorted out already.
What a likeable guy!
According to himself.
You’re asking can this fool sort out the middle east crisis?are you serious?
Can he fack!
I’m sorry , but that is just the wrong question to be asking. Seriously ? He can’t even help himself.
Nope…
Hell no
have your say