Fianna Fáil is to allow a free vote on the abortion Bill, after the deep divisions in the party meant that leader Micheál Martin could not persuade others to follow his support for legalising abortion on suicide grounds.
Martin, who had previously signalled that he was opposed to abortion on suicide grounds, angered many in the parliamentary party when he spoke out in favour of the Bill, which would allow for abortion right up until birth.
TDs and Senators are now given a free vote, allowing them to vote as their conscience decides.
Three motions passed by massive majorities at the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis last month had strongly opposed abortion, while Fianna Fáil county councillors around the country had been speaking out against the proposed legislation in the last few days.
Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute said Micheál Martin was disconnected from his own members and from the public on the issue.
"Micheál Martin should have led his party in rejecting this cruel and inhuman legislation, and his failure to do so has caused a further disconnect between the party and it's members, and from the voters on the ground," she said.
Fianna Fáil’s 19 TDs and 12 senators will be free to vote either for or against the bill at each stage of its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas, and will also be free to propose amendments as they see fit, without requiring party approval to do so.
Category | Abortion : Ireland
Published By | Life House
Comments on this post:
Comments(6)
Patricia OHare on May 31, 2013 11:49pm
They need a new FF leader that stands up for unborn children and mothers to defend them against abortion kill bill, this is our new unborn babies of next generation, many would be killed right up to birth, because of threat of suicide clause, when she needs 24 hr care, and not damaged for life from abortions.?
More serious is 1861 act offenses against the person Act being removed LEGISLATION danger from the Gov abortion kill bill.
Micheal Martin FF Leader seemed unaware of science evidence that Human Life begins at moment of conception, not implantation and blind to human rights to life of unborn babies equal to mothers.?
KILL THE BILL IS OUR IRISH CITIZENS IRELAND MAJORITY WISHES, CHOOSE LIFE.
maireadscannell on Jun 2, 2013 8:44am
FF is not the party my Father worked for -may he rest in peace. Under Micheal Martin they will remain the struggling party..going down the same wrong road. We need a new Party
MaireadScannell on Jun 2, 2013 8:49am
We need a proper vigil on the 8th in Dublin not the Blasting rock music we had last time in merrion square. PUBLIC PRAYER IS NOW WHAT IS NEEDED WAKE UP YOUTH DEFENCE.
Pat Greenan on Jun 2, 2013 9:07am
Michael Martin must now be removed as leader of Fianna Fail. I hope all pro-life TD's and Senators in FF will remove him completely from the party.
Pat Hill on Jun 5, 2013 8:07pm
well done to all the real democrats in FF who fought for a free vote on this conscientious issue of abortion, deciding on life or death of the unborn. All parties should have a free vote. FG, or Labour, grassroots activists should leave their parties if the party whips bully their TDs on abortion. A shameful attack on real democracy. Government TDs should stop cowardly hiding behind their party whip, and vote their conscience on abortion. Their electorate have a right to know where their public representatives stand on this life or death issue of abortion legislation.
liam m on Jun 5, 2013 8:17pm
-- just heard on the News, the pro abortion Irish Labour party, according to their whip Emmet Stagg, intends to allow a free vote on the issue of abolition of the Seanad. -- but not, apparently on their Bill legalising abortion in Ireland. Hypocrisy.
Keeping their pro abortion Labour senators happy is more politically important to Labour, than legalising killing unborn human babies, it seems. Vote pro abortion Labour, Sinn Fein , Socialist Party, PBP (SWP) -- out of office, every time, and at every level of public office. Why? They promote abortion always.