Shatter says he hopes all FG TDs will support abortion legislation

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said he hopes no more Fine Gael TDs will vote against the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill which will pass its final stages in the Dail this week.

“I would hope that all of my colleagues will go with what is the overall view of the majority members of the party,’’ he said. “We are all the one family and none of us wants to see any one leaving that family.’’

Mr Shatter, who was speaking to journalists at the launch of guidance for victims on completing a victim impact statement at Garda headquarters in Dublin today, said the legislation was very carefully drafted.

“It is designed to ensure that the medical profession know how they can approach a situation where a pregnancy poses a real and substantial risk to the life of a woman,’’ he added.

Mr Shatter said that the Bill was drafted within the parameters of the Constitution and provided a structure which some would perceive more restrictive than the current arrangement.

“It is a very carefully drafted piece of legislation and I would hope that it will be supported by colleagues,’’ he added.