This work provides a thorough examination of the law that applies in Ireland on abortion and the right to life of the unborn child. It focuses on Irish constitutional, criminal and tort law against the background of EU law and Ireland's adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights. It addresses controversial issues such as constitutional interpretation and the relationship between the Irish and EU Law, including the effect of Protocol No. 17 to the Maastricht Treaty. Examining the legal duties of doctors and allied professional, constitutional developments in the fields of travel and information, the issue of time limits, the possibilities for assessment of risk and the evidence required, this book reviews every aspect of this controversial subject.