DUBLIN — The Irish Parliament is expected to legalize limited abortion before its summer break after the publication of final government proposals that would allow terminations in cases when there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, including the threat of suicide.
In the face of intense opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and anti-abortion groups, Prime Minister Enda Kenny has pushed ahead with the changes while disallowing members of his party a free vote on conscience grounds. Given the large government majority in favor of the legislation, barring unforeseen circumstances it will pass into law.
The measure, called the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, would allow for an abortion when the life of the mother was threatened or if there was a possibility of suicide.
It also details the circumstances in which health professionals may carry out a termination. One doctor would be required in the case of a medical emergency, two when there is a physical threat to the life of the mother, and three — either an obstetrician or a gynecologist and two psychiatrists — when there may be a risk of suicide.
Ahead of publication of the proposed legislation last week, the Catholic Bishops issued a statement condemning it, saying that “no state has the right to undermine the right to life.” The church is calling on all Catholics, including political representatives, to oppose the bill, but has stopped short of threatening excommunication for those who do not vote against it.
Mr. Kenny has said opposition to the measure led to his being branded “a murderer.”
Anti-abortion groups are promising to step up their efforts. Niamh Ui Bhriain, a spokeswoman for the Life Institute, described the legislation as “barbaric” and said Mr. Kenny’s assertions of harassment were a “lame attempt to deflect from the grim reality of the abortion bill.”
Much of the criticism of the bill has centered on the suicide provision, which opponents characterize as a stalking horse that would open the door to abortion on demand. Seeking to head this off, the drafters included a section in which anyone found guilty of destroying unborn human life would face up to 14 years in prison. It would apply to everyone involved, including the pregnant woman.
While medical practitioners could still refuse to carry out a termination as a matter of conscience, they would be obliged to arrange the transfer of an eligible case to the care of a colleague who was willing to carry out the procedure. Hospitals, even those governed by a religious ethos, would not be allowed to opt out.
The bill was published on the same day as an official report into the death in a Galway hospital of Savita Halappanavar, a young Indian dentist who was denied a potentially lifesaving abortion during a miscarriage while she was 17 weeks pregnant, because the current guidelines do not allow a termination while a fetal heartbeat is present.
“The interpretation of the law related to lawful termination in Ireland, and particularly the lack of clear clinical guidelines and training, is considered to have been a material contributory factor in this regard,” the report said.
Her death infuriated the public and emboldened the government to enact the legislation, which would codify a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that allows abortion in certain circumstances.
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