Irish abortion legislation passed
Protesters on both sides of the abortion question have staged noisy demos outside the Dail while TDs debated the legislation
11 July 2013
The Irish Government has passed legislation for the first time allowing abortion in limited circumstances.
Despite fears some backbenchers would revolt, a junior minister was the most high-profile of a small number to break ranks and vote against the divisive law, which legalises termination of a pregnancy if a woman's life is at risk, including from the threat of suicide.
Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton was one of only five to break Government ranks and is set to be exiled by her Fine Gael party as the vote passed with a comfortable majority, with 127 voting in favour and 31 against.
