Kenny announces major policy change for future abortion vote
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told Fine Gael TDs they will have a free vote on any future changes to Ireland’s abortion laws.
In a major policy change, the Taoiseach said the matter would first be referred to a public convention.
Last week, Fine Gael’s deputy leader James Reilly said he wanted Fine Gael to campaign on repealing the 8th Amendment, which gives equal legal weight to the lives of a mother and her unborn child.
Yesterday Labour Women published their plans for the law they would replace it with.
Last night Enda Kenny, told TDs Fine Gael would not directly campaign in the next election with a promise to repeal the amendment, which he called a "complex and sensitive issue".
But instead, in his biggest shift yet on the issue, he said Fine Gael would propose sending the matter to a Citizens Convention, similar to the one that proposed the referendum on marriage equality.
He also said that when that forum reports back its findings, Fine Gael members would not be subject to a party whip - allowing them to vote as they wanted on whether Ireland’s abortion laws should be changed.
