Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris will support a Sinn Féin bill aimed at scrapping the three-day waiting period for abortion services.
The Dáil is expected to debate the legislation, which was tabled by Sinn Féin, on Tuesday evening. The bill would eliminate the mandatory three-day reflection period that women must observe between consulting a doctor and obtaining the procedure.
The development follows a recent Dáil vote in which both the Government and Sinn Féin opposed a similar proposal from the Social Democrats. That rejection was linked to worries over elements of the motion, including proposed changes to the rules around abortions in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities.
In response to a question from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald in the Dáil, the Taoiseach confirmed he will back the bill and called for further discussion at the Oireachtas health committee.
Martin described abortion as a sensitive topic with a wide spectrum of views. He noted that voters had backed the repeal of the Eighth Amendment in 2018 to allow free, safe and legal access to termination services. While he is familiar with the arguments on both sides of removing the waiting period, he stressed the need for a respectful debate in the chamber.
He plans to vote in favour of advancing the bill to committee stage, where any necessary amendments could be considered.
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