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FIANNA FÁIL HAS yet to decide whether to support or oppose the government’s proposed abortion legislation.
During a four-and-a-half hour meeting today, each member of the parliamentary party was given an opportunity to express their views on the newly-published heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013.
A spokesperson for the party told TheJournal.ie that the debate was “very respectful and considered”.
An agreement was reached that health spokesperson Billy Kelleher would put forward the various views of party members during the Oireachtas committee hearings on the legislation later this month.
A decision will then be taken by the party on whether to support the legislation. Earlier today, the Health Committee said they will hold three days of hearings, finishing the 21 May.
Although some reports indicate that the leadership wants to support the bill, Micheál Martin told TheJournal.ie earlier this year that the party has an issue with including the risk of suicide in any legislation for the X Case.
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In other words Fianna Fail waiting on the latest opinion polls regarding this legislation before making their mind up which way to go.
Shouldn’t more TD’s do this, see what the people want and then vote that way, it stinks of democracy
No they shouldn’t. People who run for election should set out their own policies and explain why they believe in them. If elected they should try to implement them. This notion that politicians should just adjust their opinions to suit the latest poll is ridiculous. (Just so we’re clear, I’m on the pro choice side)
So then it would not matter what happens during the dail term, there would be no point in emailing a TD or having an opinion on anything. Politics isn’t written in granite.
What you are talking about is the founding principle of Irish Politics ,TD’s have been doing it for years and its why we have the recession
This is the most vocal Fianna Fail have been on abortion in 16 years.
Fianna FAIL
Fianna Fáil will always vote with government they may piss moan and groan about the present government and their present policies and legislations but they will vote with Government
Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile.
Who cares? FFailure is irrelevant.
They still haven’t figured out which side of the fence will garner the most votes.
That’s about the nub of it with Fianna Fail. Daren’t do anything that might be seen to be unpopular.
If they sit on that fence too long…ouch!!
No decision?? Oh no, what will we do?
Since when is M Martin not making a decision news !
I’m sure he’ll find a committee that he can refer it to…
Micheal Martin’s influence is definitely rubbing off on them.
If they can’t make a decision in opposition how are they going to make decisions when in Government?
In fairness this has come out of the blue… and is entirely d4 megia(sic) generated. It is entirely unfair to expect a national movement to have an opinion please come back in another 20 year’s or so…
“For more on this scandal, we turn to America’s foremost experts on young women’s reproductive health — conservative men in their 60s.” – Stephen Colbert
Take yet time lads….Ye’ve been ducking the issue for years. Another few weeks isn’t gonna matter
FF to the Gov. you’re on your own with this one lads. No FF Senator will vote in favour of abortion. The Seanad will probably vote this bill down (if it gets that far) as the Gov.s majority is too tight in the upper house for it to pass. From an FF perspective they are playing a blinder on this.
Why are people so worried about FF. FG and Lab are in power and have the decision making reins. Get over FF concentrate on the govt. this reminds me of enda commenting on FF at his recent jobs strategy. Btw it is good counsel to reserve judgement, what’s another month after 20 years. At least it’s not a u turn! Time to stop looking back – time to get on with it ffs.
The Lionel Messi’s of political football strike again!
Two referenda!!! Sick of this politicians against the suicide clause. Build a bridge and get over it – or dive in and cook down with a nice swim!
*Cool!! Damn fiddly keyboard!
I love long weekends, what will I do…………..
Sit on the fence so lads, no money to be made on abortion issue but lots of votes to be lost.
It’s not as if there’s that many of them in the parliamentary party- how hard can it be?
Snakes
Glad to hear that FF are considering such a contentious issue with care, allowing all its parliamentary party to express their views. Isn’t it a pity that so called democrats are seeking dictatorship from Michael Martin. A wise decision on this issue will not be rushed.
Their about 20 years pondering it now
FF is the Nation’s moral compass.
Sorry Arbitrasure..got to correct you on that one…FF is the nations “immoral” compass
Arbitrasure, that explains alot.
This issue is not gonna be good for women’s blood pressure! It’s gone through the doldrums so much in the last year, you would be tired of seen it day after day
Who cares !!!
21 years later and FF still don’t know whether they should legislate or not.
Surprise surprise can’t make a decision. Now I know why I will never vote for them.
have your say