The Taoiseach has been told he would be a "hypocrite" if he doesn't hold a referendum on abortion this year, while still offering condolences to parents with children suffering from fatal foetal abnormalities.
The call comes from Clare Daly, the sponsor of a bill to allow abortion in the cases of fatal foetal abnormality, which will be voted on in the next two hours.
“You propose inaction, condemning those people to come home and have the ashes sent in a jiffy bag and a DHL van.”
The Taoiseach says the Dáil cannot support a measure it knows to be unconstitutional.
Enda Kenny says the Attorney General's advice has never been published and the Government cannot go against the advice it has been given
“It is not lawful for legislators to vote for something they know is repugnant to the Constitution. Now what you want to do is fly in the face of that, pass a piece of legislation and then have it tested by the Supreme Court. I suggest to you Deputy Daly that that is not the way to go,” Mr Kenny said.
Mr Kenny told Ms Daly her bill that would allow abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.
A Dáil vote is due at 5pm with the Labour Party set to lose at least two TDs.
Wicklow deputy Anne Ferris and Waterford TD Ciara Conway look set to rebel against the Government whip and vote for measure.
