Fine Gael 'wants Cabinet unity on abortion referendum'
Fine Gael has called for Cabinet unity over the referendum on the Eighth Amendment.
The Sunday Times reports that Health Minister Simon Harris made the call, despite just six of the 15 Ministers saying they support the findings of a special Oireachtas Committee.
The Government will debate the Committee's report in the new year and then decide on the question that should be put to the people.
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik said that she agrees with Simon Harris's request.
"There's a very real concern among medical professionals and others that this is being done anyway in an unregulated fashion, so let's just recognise the reality and regulate," she said.
"I think that was a key piece of the evidence that led to the TDs and Senators supporting, them, not just a repeal referendum but also the introduction of legislation allowing abortion for up to 12 weeks without reason, so I think it would be helpful, given how diligent the work of the Committee has been, that it would be fair now that the Government would take a united front."
