Good morning,After a volley of endorsements from both Government leaders and Opposition parties, it now seems certain that Sinn Féin’s Private Members’ Bill removing the three-day waiting period for accessing abortion services will pass a Dáil vote today. The waiting period was always something of a political contrivance, inserted to shore up uncertain Fine Gaelers – most notably Simon Coveney, tánaiste at the time of its introduction. In 2023, barrister Marie O’Shea recommended its removal in a five-year review of the operation of the abortion legislation. Read Ellen Coyne’s analysis here. Since the referendum, abortion as an issue has become less prominent. The Sinn Féin Bill won’t restore it to its pre-vote status as a defining social and political issue, but it is significant. It marks a rare opportunity for Opposition legislation to progress on to the statute books, for one. In the second instance, it shows a clear political calculus on behalf of Government leaders, including Simon Harris, who previously clung to its importance. The assessment must be that its relevance has diminished over time, or that the politics of those who were swing voters on the issue have shifted.It also shows continuing jockeying for position among parties of the left – Sinn Féin abstained on a more radical reform of abortion laws proposed by the Social Democrats last month, leading to charges that it was becoming more conservative, regressing and shifting its position. If it manages to achieve a substantial reform on reproductive rights, that will be a riposte to those criticisms. It is also a moment for those on the socially conservative side of the Dáil. The likes of Aontú and Independent Ireland are perhaps sceptical of whether abortion is a vote winner. But with the issue now upon them, they may be forced to test whether any of their potential voting pool could be rallied through opposition to a liberalised regime.Sinn Féin figures, buoyed by Government support, say it will be full steam ahead to get the Bill enacted now.Best readsOur front-page story on the Sinn Féin Bill is here. Ex-TD Jim Glennon’s character reference for a child abuser has been revealed. Miriam Lord writes on more Dáil action in the Rotunda saga, or the arrival of the private practice stork. “Consultant and consultant doing well”. In the opinion pages, Kathy Sheridan says the idea that some babies and mothers only survived because they went private is a myth. Michael McDowell on loyalists firebombing their own political futures. Denis Staunton on the consequences of Trump’s failures in the Middle East. While Vincent Durac asks how much more US action the region can endure. Mark Paul says Keir Starmer can only watch on as Andy Burnham stands on the threshold of a momentous win. PlaybookTopical Issues open the day’s proceedings in the Dáil at 9am, followed by the Labour Party’s motion on a data centre moratorium at 10am, and Leaders’ Questions at noon. Other Members’ Questions and Questions on Policy or Legislation follow before lunchtime, with the afternoon largely given over to Government business and then the evening voting bloc. Here’s the full Dáil schedule. The Seanad sits from 10.30am, with Government Business in the afternoon along with statements to mark Irish Aids day, and legislation from Alice Mary Higgins, Lynn Ruane, Eileen Flynn and Frances Black that seeks to prohibit Irish participation in the autonomous weapons industry. The full Seanad schedule is here. In the committee rooms, Seán Canney is in the Transport Committee speaking about road safety from 9.30am, with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in with the Health Committee to talk about the Health (Amendment) Bill at the same time. Senior officials in the Department of Climate, including secretary general Oonagh Buckley, are in the Environment Committee at 12.30pm, while the hauliers and vintners are in the Enterprise Commitee as part of the pre-budget jamboree. They’ll be talking about the cost of doing business. Former president Mary McAleese, who is steering the integration of Gaelic games organisations, is at the Sports Committee to discuss her work alongside GAA president Jarlath Burns and a GAA/LGFA/Camogie delegation. That’s at 12.30pm. Here’s the full roster of committee happenings. Elsewhere, President Catherine Connolly and Brian McEnery are hosting a garden party at the Áras. It must be summer now.