Master of
the Rotunda Sam Coulter-Smith has told Newstalk radio that he would prefer if
the suicide clause in the abortion Bill was removed from it.

He said: “There
is no evidence that the termination of pregnancy assists in that situation” and
that removing the clause “would be my preference”.

He
acknowledged that only about one in every 500,000 pregnant women commit suicide
but he added that suicidal ideation in pregnancy is less rare.

Dr
Coulter-Smith said that there are indications that a termination in such a case
“could create more problems than it stops”.

His remarks
came as pressure continued to be exerted on members of the Fine Gael party to
vote in favour of the Bill.

Already
four Fine Gael TDs have been expelled from the parliamentary party for voting
against the Bill. They have also been told they cannot run for Fine Gael at the
next election.

According
to The Irish Independent: “Fine Gael TDs opposed to the abortion legislation
and threatening to vote against it are coming under extreme pressure from their
local party organisations to support it”.

The final
Dail vote on the issue is due to take place on Wednesday night.