The government will reveal a policy paper this morning outlining what it wants the laws on abortion to be if the 8th amendment is repealed.
Health Minister Simon Harris will get up in the Dáil at 10.30 to kickstart the debate on the bill that would allow a referendum on the 8th amendment.
When he does he'll describe the regime he'd aim to bring in in the event of a repeal vote. It will say there should be abortion without specific indication for up to 12 weeks, or in English, abortion will be allowed for any reason within the first trimester.
GPs and medical practitioners will lead the service, which will be done by administering abortion pills.
After the 12 week limit, abortions will be allowed in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, or where there's a risk to the life, health or mental health of the mother.
In these cases 2 doctors will have to examine the mother, and there will be an appeals process if she isn't happy with the decision.
There will also be a cooling off period. So when a woman goes to seek an abortion, she'll have to wait two or three days to consider it before being given an abortion pill.
Medical practitioners will also have a contentious objection, so if they don't feel comfortable allowing abortions they won't have to.
