Ireland passes Bill to legalise abortion following May referendum

Ireland passes Bill to legalise abortion following May referendum

News

Ireland has passed a bill to legalise abortion following a referendum in May 2018

Important facts

1. The new abortion law has been named “Savita Law” after Savita Halappanavar who had died in 2012 after being refused abortion due to prevailing laws.
2. The bill allows for abortion services to be provided “on demand” up to the 12th week of a pregnancy, in the case of a fatal foetal abnormality or where the physical or mental health of the mother is in danger.

Background

In May 2018, the Irish electorate voted in favour of abolishing the controversial 8^th amendment to the Irish Constitution that gave equal legal status to the lives of a foetus and the woman carrying it and thus making pregnancy terminations illegal in Ireland under any circumstances.