Ireland Introduces Law Allowing Abortions After Woman's Untimely Death

Following the death of a pregnant woman that officials say could have been prevented it, the Irish government has returned to the drawing board, releasing a bill Wednesday that allows abortions under life-saving circumstances-a highly controversial step to take in Ireland, where most terminations of pregnancy are still against the law.

Enda Kenny, prime minister of Ireland, told the Los Angeles Times that the bill would clear up confusion circling the circumstances under which abortion is allowed.

The primarily Roman Catholic country opposes abortion-knowing this, Kenny warned his fellow legislators of the surely imminent political battle ahead. He also said he expected all of the members of his Fine Gael party to vote in favor of the measure, even if they did not agree with it, based upon the principle.

"I do hope that we can bring everybody with us, on an issue that I know is sensitive," Kenny told the press. He also added that "conscientious objection...doesn't absolve people from responsibility."

The motion to act came after 31 year-old Savita Halappanavar died in October. She was almost four months pregnant when she died from poison of the blood-she was hospitalized in western Ireland when doctors refused to perform an abortion on the fetus she had started miscarrying. They claimed they could still hear a heartbeat.

Public outrage ensued, as protestors took to Dublin streets. Kenny promised he and his cabinet would put forth legislation concerning when an abortion can be performed to save a life. This has been legal in Ireland for many years, but doctors often steer clear of them, since the regulations are broad and vague.

The bill, Kenny said, will restate the general prohibition on abortion in Ireland. It would authorize a pregnancy termination if two doctors came to the agreement that continued childbearing poses a "real and substantial" threat to the woman's life.

"The law on abortion in Ireland is not being changed," he said. "We are a compassionate people. This is about women; it is about saving lives, the life of the mother and the life of the unborn."