The Abortion Reform Bill is fully functional, the man in charge of taking it through Legislative Council has pledged.

MLCs granted the bill a first reading on Tuesday.

It follows extensive scrutiny in the House of Keys, where the number of amendments meant a new draft of the bill had to be printed.

Bill Henderson, who revealed the problematic definition of ’health’ at the start of the bill may be dropped, said: ’The bill is fully functional. Everything works well.’

He said there would be some technical amendments made in LegCo.

’One is to remove the definition of health, which is causing legislative issues,’ he said.

The definition is contained within a clause at the beginning of the bill, but it is understood it is felt that it might not be necessary to include any such definition of health in that section.

Opponents had tried to have the reference to ’social well-being’ removed from that definition.

Separate from the definition of health, the bill specifies ’serious social concern’ as a reason for permitting abortions during the 15-24-week period.

Mr Henderson also addressed concern about whether the additional provision for ’access zones’ to stop protestors harassing women and practitioners could impinge on the human rights of protestors.

’This will be addressed via further small, technical amendments from the attorney general that will ensure the bill is human rights compatible as far as we can tell, by removing any obstacle which may have the potential to cause issue,’ he said.

Under the bill, abortion would be permitted upon request up to 14 weeks, under specified circumstances during the 15-24-week period, and in certain emergency situations after 24 weeks. Provision has also been added to create ’access zones’ around medical centres to protect women and medics from harassment.

’It is the Keys’ wish that this bill becomes law, as it is mine and other members of the Legislative Council,’ said Mr Henderson.

’But the Legislative Council does have a duty as part of its functions to examine this legislation and give it a sober second look that it is fit for purpose.’

Jane Poole-Wilson, who seconded the first reading, said: ’Reform of our abortion law is long overdue.

’The principle and nature of the reform has been established and we now have the opportunity, through our scrutiny, to ensure the Abortion Reform Bill becomes the good and just law that is intended.’

Tuesday’s first reading - which received a unanimous vote in favour - saw the presence outside legislative buildings of anti-abortion protestors displaying graphic images.

Tanya August Hanson hit out at those who criticised women who have an abortion.

’No woman makes a decision to abort lightly and to say so is narrow-minded,’ she stated.

Many are waiting to hear Attorney General John Quinn’s legal opinion on aspects of the bill. Although he sits on Legislative Council, he did not comment on Tuesday. It is expected he will speak when the bill moves on to the second reading and clauses stages, that are due to start at the next sitting.

Due to the TT, that sitting takes place on June 12.

After that, there is only oe other sitting of the upper chamber (June 26) before the summer recess, so the bill will not be ready to go for royal assent until October at the earliest.