The Taoiseach and Tánaiste’s support for a Sinn Féin bill to abolish the three-day wait before an abortion, has been described as a massive ‘breach of trust’ with voters.

The bill would end the mandatory three day period between an appointment requesting an abortion and going for the procedure—a time which gives a woman ‘breathing space’ to give more consideration to her decision.

Eilís Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign said many people who voted Yes in 2018 following assurances from people like Micheál Martin and Simon Harris that the three-day wait would be an integral part of any new law.

“Their decision today to renege on that assurance – particularly so soon after the referendum – represents a massive breach of trust with voters”.

In the Dail last night, opposition to the proposal was voiced by Aontu’s Peadar Toibin, and by independent deputies Carol Nolan, and Michael and Danny Healy-Rae.

Deputy Toibin pointed to the effectiveness of the 3-day wait in actually saving lives, noting that 10,000 mothers who attended their first abortion meeting did not attend the second. “There are 10,000 children alive today as a result of the three-day wait”.