New photo Irish parliament votes to legalise abortion in 'historic moment'

The Irish parliament voted to legalise abortion on Thursday after a referendum earlier this year, a decision hailed by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar as a 'historic moment'. 

Ireland is a predominantly Catholic country but the influence of the Church has waned in recent years and 66 per cent voted for the change at a referendum in May. 

In August, 200,000 turned out for the Papal Mass in Phoenix Park, Dublin, compared to 1.25 million at Pope John Paul II's in 1979. 

'Historic moment for Irish women. Thanks to all who supported and well done to @SimonHarrisTD (the health minister) for steering this through both Houses,' Tweeted Varadkar, who supported the referendum.

Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar arriving in Brussels on Thursday; he praised his parliament's vote, writing on Twitter: 'Historic moment for Irish women. Thanks to all who supported'

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was in Brussels to speak at a summit on Brexit but Tweeted his happiness over the decision to legalise abortion

Some 170,000 Irish women have been forced to travel to neighbouring Britain for abortions since 1980. 

The new legislation permits terminations to be carried out up to 12 weeks of pregnancy - or in conditions where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman.

It would also allow terminations in cases of foetal abnormality which could lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth.

The change means Malta is now the only European Union country to totally ban abortion.

'Just over 200 days ago, you, the people of Ireland, voted to repeal the 8th so we could care for women with compassion,' Health Minister Simon Harris said on Twitter after the bill passed the upper house.

'Today we have passed the law to make this a reality. A vote to end lonely journeys, end the stigma and support women's choices in our own country.'

The Irish health service is now being primed to provide the first abortions to women in January.

The only step remaining in the legislative process is the ceremonial signing of the bill into law by President Michael D. Higgins.

The vote to repeal the abortion ban followed a vigorously mobilised pro-choice campaign.

The Irish health minister Simon Harris Tweeted his praise on Thursday for the bill going through the Irish parliament

Yes campaigners celebrate as the result of Ireland's referendum on abortion law are announced in Dublin in May 

Voters and campaigners share their joy after they won a 66 per cent on the referendum to repeal the eighth amendment 

'I want to thank the campaigners who fought for 35 years to change a nation, to change hearts and minds,' Harris said in a statement.

'I want to thank the minority who fought the battle in here when it was convenient for the majority to ignore.'

'We welcome the passage of this bill, and fully appreciate the importance of its enactment by year's end so that abortion services can begin in January,' said Colm O Gorman, head of Amnesty International Ireland.

'Women have waited 35 years for this, the daily violations of their human rights must come to an end.'

However he said some concerns remained over conditions outlined in the bill - which has been the subject of sustained and emotional parliamentary debate in recent weeks.

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News Pictures Irish parliament votes to legalise abortion in 'historic moment'

You don’t have to pack away your bikini just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!

TEENS
Hayden Panettiere
Size: 8
Age: 18
Height: 5ft 1in
Weight: 8st

To achieve her kick-ass figure, Hayden – who plays cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes – follows the ‘quartering’ rule. She eats only a quarter of the food on her plate, then waits 20 minutes before deciding whether she needs to eat again.

Hayden says: “I don’t have a model’s body, but I’m not one of those crazy girls who thinks that they’re fat. I’m OK with what I have.”

Nicollette says: “I don’t like diets – I see it, I eat it! I believe in eating healthily with lots of protein, vegetables and carbs to give you energy.”

kim cattrall

Size: 10-12
Age: 52
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 9st 4lb

SATC star Kim swears by gym sessions with Russian kettle bells (traditional cast-iron weights) and the South Beach Diet to give her the body she wants. To avoid overeating, Kim has a radical diet trick – squirting lemon juice on her leftovers – so she won’t carry on picking.

Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
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