TDs are said to be split over abortion along a rural / urban line.

According to a survey in today’s Irish Independent the number of deputies opposed to unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy is four times greater in rural Ireland than in Dublin.

43 TDS in rural areas have declaredd that they are against the proposal, compared to just 9 deputies in the capital who have publicly indicated their opposition according to the paper’s survey.

In Mayo, Fianna Fail’s Lisa Chambers is supporting the repeal, her colleague Dara Calleary is said to be undecided and there was no response from Minister Michael Ring or former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

In Roscommon/Galway,  Fianna Fail’s Eugene Murphy says he will not be supporting the repeal, and there was no response from Minister Denis Naughten or Michael Fitzmaurice.

Fianna Fail’s Marc McSharry in Sligo Leitrim is against the repeal, his colleague Eamon Scanlon did not respond, neither did Fine Gael’s Tony McLoughlin while Sinn Fein’s Martin Kenny supports the repeal but his party is opposed to unrestricted abortion.

Fianna Fail’s Anne Rabbitte in Galway East is opposed, Cieran Cannon (FG) did not respond and Ind Sean Canney is against the repeal.

In Galway West FG’s Hildegarde Naughton is in favour, Minister Sean Kyne is undeclared, FF’s Eamon OCuiv is against the repeal. Ind Noel Grealish didn’t respond and Ind Catherine Connolly supports it.