Free Republic

The [Irish] Government plans to ignore a key recommendation of the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) concerning abortion legislation. In its submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination, published yesterday on the eve of International Women's Day, the IHRC recommended "that the Government should introduce legislation to define the circumstances in which abortion can currently be legally carried out in Ireland". Responding to the recommendation last night, a Department of Health spokesman said: "The Government has no plans for legislation in regards to abortion." However, Labour Party deputy leader and spokeswoman on health Liz McManus supported the...

<p>A FINE Gael frontbencher has broken with the party over its position on the presidential election.</p> <p>FG spokesman on social and family affairs, Michael Ring, said he was angered at the party's blocking of Dana Rosemary Scallon at local government level. Mr Ring expressed his views at a meeting of the party front bench.</p>