This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23277590

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ireland's parliament approves 'life-saving' abortion Ireland's parliament approves 'life-saving' abortion
(about 2 hours later)
Lawmakers in the Republic of Ireland have voted to legalise abortion under certain conditions for the first time, following a marathon debate. Lawmakers in the Republic of Ireland have voted to legalise abortion under certain conditions for the first time.
In a 127-31 vote in the Dail, they backed allowing a termination when doctors deem that a woman is at risk of taking her own life. The move - approved by a 127-31 vote in the Dail - would authorise a termination when doctors deem that a woman is at risk of taking her life. It needs upper house endorsement, too.
The debate revealed deep splits in the predominantly Catholic country. The vote follows the case of an Indian woman who died in hospital after she was refused an abortion.
Opponents say the bill - which still needs the upper house's approval - could lead to more widespread abortion. The debate revealed deep splits in the predominantly Roman Catholic country.
Opponents say the bill could lead to more widespread abortion.
Anti-abortion campaigners say that the bill will allow the intentional killing of the unborn for the first time in the Republic of Ireland.Anti-abortion campaigners say that the bill will allow the intentional killing of the unborn for the first time in the Republic of Ireland.
For them, it is not just a religious but a human rights issue as they believe that in any pregnancy the mother and foetus have equal rights to life.For them, it is not just a religious but a human rights issue as they believe that in any pregnancy the mother and foetus have equal rights to life.
Others argue the bill is too limited as it does not allow for terminations in cases of rape or incest, or when there is a foetal abnormality.Others argue the bill is too limited as it does not allow for terminations in cases of rape or incest, or when there is a foetal abnormality.
Nor does it allow for termination when the foetus cannot survive outside the womb.Nor does it allow for termination when the foetus cannot survive outside the womb.
UncertaintyUncertainty
Members of parliament (TDs) backed the proposal shortly after midnight on Friday - after two hotly debated sessions.Members of parliament (TDs) backed the proposal shortly after midnight on Friday - after two hotly debated sessions.
Still, those who support access to abortion say the bill ignores the fact that, on average, 11 women leave the country every day for an abortion in Britain.Still, those who support access to abortion say the bill ignores the fact that, on average, 11 women leave the country every day for an abortion in Britain.
Since a Supreme Court ruling in 1992, known as the X case, abortion has been constitutionally available when a woman's life, as distinct from her health, is at risk from the continued pregnancy.Since a Supreme Court ruling in 1992, known as the X case, abortion has been constitutionally available when a woman's life, as distinct from her health, is at risk from the continued pregnancy.
X was a suicidal 14-year-old schoolgirl who had been raped by a neighbour and was initially prevented from leaving the country for an abortion in Britain.X was a suicidal 14-year-old schoolgirl who had been raped by a neighbour and was initially prevented from leaving the country for an abortion in Britain.
Since then, the credible threat of suicide is, constitutionally, regarded as grounds for a termination.Since then, the credible threat of suicide is, constitutionally, regarded as grounds for a termination.
But in the intervening years, until now, no government has introduced legislation to give doctors legal certainty on when an abortion can be carried out.But in the intervening years, until now, no government has introduced legislation to give doctors legal certainty on when an abortion can be carried out.
FailuresFailures
And that uncertainty provided part of the context for the Savita Halappanavar case.And that uncertainty provided part of the context for the Savita Halappanavar case.
She was a 31-year-old Indian dentist who was admitted to hospital in Galway in October 2012 while miscarrying.She was a 31-year-old Indian dentist who was admitted to hospital in Galway in October 2012 while miscarrying.
She died a week later from septicaemia.She died a week later from septicaemia.
Her request for an abortion was turned down.Her request for an abortion was turned down.
Her inquest heard that she could not get a termination at the time because her life was not in danger but, by the time her life was at risk, an abortion would have been too late to save her.Her inquest heard that she could not get a termination at the time because her life was not in danger but, by the time her life was at risk, an abortion would have been too late to save her.
The Fine Gael-Labour coalition government says its proposed legislation will bring the law and constitution into line.The Fine Gael-Labour coalition government says its proposed legislation will bring the law and constitution into line.