Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he would feel “uncomfortable” about making major changes to the nation’s abortion laws.
A review of the current legislation has recommended a number of changes; currently, women seeking a termination must wait three days but the report recommends this waiting period becomes advisory.
It also suggests changes to the circumstances in which an abortion can be obtained past 12 weeks in the case of fatal foetal abnormality; presently, two doctors must state that the foetus will die within 28 days of being born; the review recommends reducing that to one medical practitioner.
Mr Varadkar endorsed a yes vote in the 2018 referendum on the eighth amendment to the constitution; however, he said he was “reluctant” to revisit the issue.
2CN7NXR Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks at a Fine Gael party event pressing for a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming May 25th referendum on abortion law, in Dublin, Ireland, April 21, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne“I did so [voted yes] on the basis that there were safeguards,” he said.
“That there were protections, that we would try to have a situation whereby abortion in Ireland was safe, legal and rare.
“I would be reluctant and I would be uncomfortable to make any major changes to the legislation.”
The report has been submitted to the Cabinet for discussion and any changes would have to be approved by the Oireachtas.
Main image: Leo Varadkar campaigning for a Yes vote in the 2018 referendum. Picture by: Alamy.com
