Sinn FÃ©in seeks support for X case motion

On RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald said the objective of the motion was not to be party political.

She said it was intended to give a clear public indication that members of the Oireachtas were "prepared to act, prepared to legislate and not prepared to delay any further" on the issue.

In 1992, the Supreme Court's judgment on the X case permitted abortion in limited circumstances, where there was a substantial risk to the life of the mother.

Ms McDonald said that for 20 years, there had been a gap in the law clarifying for medical practitioners exactly how that worked out in practice.

She said: "Our fear is that having waited for 20 years, and notwithstanding the latest tragedy and controversy, that the Government will once again run for cover, once again try to push this issue down the road."

Asked whether Meath TD Peadar Tóibín, who did not sign the motion, would be expected to support it, she said: "It's a Sinn Féin motion, and of course all members of Sinn Féin are expected to vote for it."

She said there would be discussions with Mr Tóibín about the issue.

"We will have to deal with that as a matter of internal party management. We will be talking to Peadar over the coming days, Peadar is aware of the party position on all of these matters."

She said Sinn Féin had taken the view at its last party conference not to opt for a free vote on the issue.

She said that although there were "very strong views" on the issue of abortion within the party, that on the particular issue of legislating for the X case and giving legal clarity, party members did not consider it appropriate to operate on the basis of a free vote.

Ms McDonald said they were anxious to see the report of the expert group on abortion, which is being brought to Cabinet next week.

"Given the events of the past week, and the tragedy in Galway University Hospital, has underlined the immediacy and urgency around this issue.

"We want the Government to publish that report and we want them to set out very, very clearly what measures they intend to take."

Labour TD Ciara Conway said she wants to assess the Government's counter-motion regarding abortion legislation before making any decision on how she will vote.

Ms Conway said the Government's motion would have to be "strong, forthright and definitive".

HSE to finalise inquiry plans

The terms of reference for the Health Service Executive inquiry into the death of Savita Halappanavar at Galway University Hospital are expected to be finalised today.

The inquiry will be asked to report within around three months.

The death of Ms Halappanavar on 28 October has been the subject of national and international attention.

The inquiry panel of around six people will have an outside expert in obstetrics and gynaecology, possibly as its chairperson.

It will be overseen by the HSE's National Incident Management Team.

Before the terms of reference are signed off and published, there will be consultation with Savita's husband, Praveen Halappanavar, through his legal representatives in Ireland.

A key task of the inquiry will be to determine if earlier medical intervention might have saved Ms Halappanavar's life.

Meanwhile, the Health Information and Quality Authority is expecting a response this week from both University College Hospital Galway and the HSE on assurances sought that there is full compliance with health care standards following the case.

HIQA wrote to the head of the Roscommon/Galway Hospitals Group and the HSE in Dublin after the case became public.

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