THE DÁIL RETURNS today with a debate this evening on a bill proposed by the Technical Group to incorporate the X-case into Irish law, 20 years after the highly controversial case was ruled on by the Supreme Court.

The Bill, which was introduced by Socialist Party TD Clare Daly, aims to legislate for that court ruling and would provide limited access to abortion when the life of the mother is in “real and substantial danger”.

If introduced into law, the Medical Treatment (Termination of Pregnancy in Case of Risk to Life of Pregnant Woman) Bill 2012 would “provide for termination of pregnancy where a real and substantial risk to the life of the pregnant woman exists” and “make provision for the prevention of any curtailment, hindrance or preclusion of such treatment that may arise as a result of the pregnancy of the woman”.

People Before Profit TD Joan Collins told TheJournal.ie earlier that “this Bill is very, very robust and many Labour members support it and think it’s a good Bill.”

“It’s a very important Bill,” she said. “It’s going on too long and is really 20 years too late. It’s outrageous that this hasn’t been legislated for already”.

Today’s business starts with Leader’s Questions at 10.30am; the debate on the bill to implement the X-case ruling is due to start at 7.30pm this evening.

In pictures: The 20th anniversary of X Case protests >

Twenty years on: a timeline of the X case >