History beckons with abortion vote

A number of potentially historic votes dominated the news overnight.

First, the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment passed several votes that would have been considered inconceivable until relatively recently. Second, in Westminster 11 Tory rebels defeated their government on Brexit.

But first to the debate on abortion. As our colleague Sarah Bardon reports, pressure will fall on the Government to hold a referendum to repeal Article 40.3.3 after committee TDs and Senators voted by 14-6 in favour of removing the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution.

In another hugely significant decision, a majority of the committee agreed to give access to termination up to 12 weeks, without any restrictions. In effect, the committee has backed the central recommendation of the Citizens’ Assembly.

May timetable for abortion referendum - Tánaiste

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What was significant is that a number of members, who would have classed themselves as anti-abortion, have changed their positions during the three months of evidence from expert witnesses.

As Bardon reports: “The majority of the committee also supported abortions in the cases of rape, fatal foetal abnormalities and when a mother’s life or health is at risk.

“Terminations up to 22 weeks was rejected, as was abortions in the case of a foetal abnormality that is not fatal and providing abortion on the grounds of socio-economic status.”

Sinn Féin abstained on the 12-week vote as its formal position - adopted at the ardfheis - does not allow it go that far. That might change.

At this stage, however, it’s by no means certain the wider Oireachtas will also embrace this radical change.

An exit for Brexit?

On the eve of the crucial summit in Brussels today, British prime minister Theresa May suffered a hugely embarrassing Commons defeat on Brexit with 11 of her own party members rebelling.

Today’s summit was supposed to allow May to argue sufficient progress had been achieved in phase one of the negotiations to allow the talks to move onto trade.

The effect of the vote, which the government lost by 309 votes to 305, will mean parliament must be given a meaningful final vote before the Brexit withdrawal bill is completed.

The rebels were led by former attorney general Dominic Grieve and included remainers such as the veteran MP Kenneth Clarke. It will be seen as a boon for both a soft Brexit, and also for the Labour Party and its leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

It also reduces the authority of May and her ministers - and puts a question mark over the survival of the government.

Denis Staunton captures the atmosphere of the moment when the crucial vote was lost: "Opposition MPs cheered and waved their order papers when the result of the vote was announced, with 309 voting in favour and 305 against."

A soft Brexit? A Corbyn government? Not thought possible a year ago. But then so much has flipped since then.