Minister for Health Simon Harris is to ask the Cabinet to approve State funding for abortion. The Minister brought the heads of the Health (Regulation of the Termination of Pregnancy) Bill to today’s Cabinet meeting, which will legalise abortion in wide-ranging circumstances. That includes abortion on demand for the first 12 weeks, where there is a risk to mental health up to 24 weeks, and where there is an emergency risk to mental health up to nine months. It will also allow the abortion, up to birth, of babies with serious disabilities if it is thought they would likely live no more then 28 days after birth.

Government sources said the Minister had been clear that cost should not be a barrier to women wanting abortions. It is understood Mr Harris is examining whether services can be provided under the Maternity and Infant Scheme. Currently, that programme allows for maternity services free of charge when provided by a family doctor and a hospital obstetrician but this could be expanded to women who want an abortion of their unborn child.