Above: 2,159 Women have travelled for an abortion this year. Supporters of todays bill gather outside the Dail.

After several delays, the Dail hears at last the Bill proposed by Ruth Coppinger TD before the summer. If passed it would commit the Dail to organize a referendum on the 8th Amendment.

It is expected Sinn Fein, AAA-PBP, Independents4Change, Social Democrats, Greens, Labour (oh are they prochoice again?) and possibly other independents will vote for it, which is already the guts of 50 votes to start.

45 TDs voted for Mick Wallace’s Bill that would have allowed abortion in the case of fatal foetal abnormality earlier this year, including Shane Ross, John Halligan and Finian McGrath – causing a split in the government.

Katherine Zappone who voted against the Wallace Bill, has already committed to voting with the government- to the surprise of absolutely no one. At the time of writing, the sleeveens in the Endapendents Alliance are attempting to manouevre a counter-motion which would defer to the Citizens’ Assembly that’ll get them off the hook and into Enda’s good books.

The Coalition to Repeal the 8th Amendment will be hosting a rally for the #RepealBill outside the Dail from 17.30 on. Wear a jumper.