Ireland’s parliament votes to allow “life saving” abortion

The Irish parliament’s lower house (Dáil) has passed legislation that will, for the first time, formally authorise abortion in Ireland. The Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy Bill is expected to be ratified by the upper house (Seanad) this week, when it will become lawful for doctors to terminate a pregnancy in cases where a woman is at risk of taking her life.

The legislation, approved by a 127 to 31 vote on 12 July after two keenly debated parliamentary sessions, is primarily aimed …