Irish parliament votes to legalise abortion

The Irish parliament on Thursday passed legislation allowing abortions for the first time, following a landmark referendum earlier this year, a move hailed by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar as a “historic moment”. The new legislation permits terminations to be carried out up to 12 weeks of pregnancy -- or in conditions where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman.

It would also allow terminations in cases of foetal abnormality which could lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth. “Historic moment for Irish women. Thanks to all who supported,” said Varadkar, who supported the referendum in May in which 66 percent voted to overturn a constitutional ban on abortions.

Some 170,000 Irish women have been forced to travel to neighbouring Britain for abortions since 1980. The change means Malta is now the only European Union country to totally ban abortion.