Dáil to vote on Sinn Féin's proposed bill to remove three-day abortion wait

The Dáil will vote tonight on Sinn Féin's proposed legislation to remove the three-day waiting period for an abortion in early pregnancy.

If passed, the bill will go before an Oireachtas committee for further review.

The party announced at the weekend that Spokesperson on Health David Cullinane would bring forward the proposed legislation in the Dáil this week to remove the waiting period.

"Since the passing of abortion legislation, following the Repeal referendum, there have been concerns expressed at the mandatory three-day wait and the negative implications that it has had for women," said Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.

"Any woman taking this decision will have given it deep thought, and removing the mandatory wait does not mean that a woman cannot take more time if she wishes. That option is always there. But forcing a woman to adhere to a three-day mandatory wait is not acceptable and has had a very negative impact."

Government TDs will have a vote on the issue. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill have indicated that they will vote in favour of the proposed legislation.

"The people did vote to repeal the 8th Amendment in 2018 and to provide free, safe and legal access to termination services," said the Taoiseach.

"I am aware of the arguments for and against the removal of the three-day waiting period. It is important we have a respectful debate in the house."

Deputy Cullinane told the Dáil that he is open to working across parties to accommodate technical amendments which might be needed at the committee stage of the bill.

Last month, the Social Democrats' Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill was defeated in the Dáil by 85 votes to 30, with 36 abstentions, including all Sinn Féin TDs.

The Bill sought to remove the waiting period, revise the criteria for a termination on the grounds of fatal foetal abnormality, and end the criminalisation of doctors who face jail time if they perform a termination outside of the strict legal grounds.

Cullinane said his party supported removing the waiting period, but did not support the Social Democrats' position on foetal abnormalities.