Govt braced for backbench revolt on abortion vote
The coalition Government is bracing itself for a backbench revolt as TDs vote on contentious abortion laws today.
Four Fine Gael TDs have already confirmed they cannot support the legislation, which will allow limited abortion, and up to six others, including junior minister Lucinda Creighton, are expected to rebel.
The Minister for European Affairs yesterday warned she has grave misgivings about the reforms and would vote according to her conscience.
It is understood some TDs will initially vote with the Government legislation before rebelling after the bill passes through latter stages and amendments are rejected.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has ruled out pleas from Ms Creighton to remove the suicide clause.
It is the most contentious issue in the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 as it provides legal grounds for a termination if an expectant mother is assessed by medics as being a suicide risk.
Fine Gael TDs Peter Mathews, Terence Flanagan, Billy Timmins and Brian Walsh will lead the revolt after insisting they cannot support the legislation as it stands.
A number of other Government TDs have claimed they too would like to see changes to the bill before it is passed into law, while members of Fianna Fail and some independent TDs have also indicated they will reject it.
Despite this, the bill is expected to pass.
The Government hopes to enact the legislation before it breaks for summer to legalise abortion where there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, including the threat of suicide.
Votes begin in the Dáil today after 5pm.
A number of TDs have expressed concern that any move to allow for abortion would make the procedure more widespread.
Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, said that opponents of the legislation will be proved wrong in the long run.
“The safeguards that are in place in this legislation are so much stronger than those that exist at present. I really think those who are voting against the bill from a pro-life point of view are making a very big error, they will be proven wrong in history and they are making a big mistake in that regard,” he said.
Fianna Fáil is allowing its TDs a free vote. Sinn Fein has told its TDs to vote with the Government.
Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the Taoiseach has been clear that backbench Fine Gael TDs will lose the party whip and their position in the parliamentary party.
“He has very much nailed his colours to the mast,” she told RTÉ Radio. “He considers this important legislation.
“Clearly the position is we do not want to lose deputies.”
Ms Fitzgerald added: “We are not bringing in any new law. We are codifying and clarifying what is already there. I want to emphasise this, we are talking about a woman’s life, where a woman’s life is at risk. We are talking about a very strict, precise, focused piece of legislation.”
