There was opposition from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and independent senators as the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill passed second stage in the upper house today.
There is common ground to be found between pro-life and pro-choice people, writes Lisa McInerney, but plastic foetuses and death threats are eroding it.
The pro-life senator has accused Enda Kenny of using spin tactics to deflect from his “deeply unpleasant” proposal to legislate for abortion under the terms of the X Case.
Despite concerns raised by Senator Rónán Mullen and others, there were no formal complaints made to the Constitutional Convention about its recent hearings on same-sex marriage.
The Taoiseach has confirmed that the government will address the issue of the threat of suicide in legislating for the X Case ruling as pro-life groups reacted angrily to today’s announcement.
The solicitor for Praveen Halappanavar has reiterated that his client will not cooperate with the inquiry into his wife’s controversial death and said there must be a public inquiry.
The pro life group and senator Ronan Mullen have both criticised people for using the death of Savita Praveen Halappanavar to call for legislation on the X case.
A BAN ON “all forms of advertising” by betting companies before the 9pm watershed has been recommended by the Oireachtas Justice Committee.
A report published by the committee said around 3,400 15 and 16-year-olds are “engaged in problem gambling in Ireland”.
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“Stakeholders emphasised, in particular, the need for a pre-watershed ban on all forms of gambling advertising.
“They pointed out that a cultural shift had resulted in advertising on cigarettes being banned and advertising on alcohol being curtailed and recommended that the same approach be applied to gambling advertising,” the document states.
In terms of online adverts, the report notes that gambling ads are typically aimed at people over the age of 25. However, stakeholders noted “it can be challenging to prevent all websites from showing adverts to those underage”.
The report was compiled as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Gambling Regulation Bill, which is expected to pass next year.
What do you think: Should all gambling ads be banned before 9pm?