Discussions on the committee stage of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill are now complete.

It is during this stage that amendments to the proposed legislation are considered.

Earlier this week, the second stage of the Bill was passed in the Dail by 138 votes to 24, allowing it to proceed to the committee stage.

While only the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, and the nine members of the Dail sub-committee on health could vote or propose amendments to the committee stage, all TDs could attend and all were entitled to speak for as long as they wished.

During the discussions, a vote was called for an amendment which would allow for an abortion in the case of an ‘inevitable miscarriage'. This vote was called in the name of independent TD, Seamus Healy, who argued that such an amendment would take into account cases such as that of Savita Halappanavar.

However, Minister Reilly said that following legal advice he had received, it was his understanding that such an amendment would be outside the scope of the ABC judgement. This would leave the Bill open to constitutional challenge.

Mr Healy was the only TD to vote in favour of this amendment. Two TDs abstained and the remainder voted against it.

Section nine of the Bill - the controversial section which allows for an abortion when there is a threat of suicide - was approved by the Committee, by eight votes to two.

The Bill will now move to report stage next week.