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Updated, 17:40
TDS AND SENATORS from Fianna Fáil will be given a free vote on the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill when it is put to them in the Dáil.
Members of FF’s parliamentary party were given a free vote, allowing them to vote as their conscience decides, after the parliamentary party failed to agree a common position at a meeting this afternoon.
The party had been deeply divided on the issue, with some disagreeing with any proposal to legislate for abortion – particularly in cases where the risk to the mother’s life was through the threat of suicide.
Others, however, had argued that the State’s responsibility under the A, B and C ruling was to provide a clear and accessible framework where it could be decided where an abortion was legally permissible as per the Supreme Court ruling in the X Case.
Motions passed at its Árd Fheis last month had affirmed the party’s pro-life position and its stance against the inclusion of an abortion clause, though those motions are not binding on party policy.
“Since this debate began, we have been consistent in our determination not to be political with the issue and to show respect to the different strands of opinion,” party leader Micheál Martin said in a statement this evening.
“Our preference in this process was to come to a shared, consensual view on the Bill. However, given the genuine and deeply held convictions on both sides of the debate, it is clear that this is not possible.”
Martin said the parliamentary party had at least affirmed its commitment “to protecting the lives of pregnant women in this country” and not to seek a party political advantage on a delicate issue.
The decision means Fianna Fáil’s 19 TDs and 12 senators will not have any party whip applied to them on any votes regarding the bill.
It means they 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 vote as they see fit on any proposed amendments.
Indeed, the withdrawal of any formal party instruction means members will be free to bring forward any amendments as they see fit, without requiring party approval to do so.
Some Fine Gael members have called for their party to show similar latitude to its members, on a matter which divides the larger parties whose members encompass a broad variety of opinions on the subject.
However, Enda Kenny has ruled out the prospect of raising the party whip – reasoning that the defection of a number of Fine Gael members could pose a threat to the passage of the Bill, particularly in the Seanad where the government has a smaller majority.
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How nice of them, considering they blatantly ignored the issue during the 20 years since the X case. Obviously the only point about Fianna Fail being in government is to get themselves reelected.
Micheal Martin was too busy as Minister for Health refusing point blank to even meet the Magdalene Laundry survivors or admit they had been wronged. Too busy not reading reports, too busy not cutting out fat contracts to friends of the party.
Too busy – the slime ball’s life story.
Bloody right it should be a free vote.
Just wondering have we the people not already decided on this x case in a referendum years ago?? Should this not be law by now??
Politicking. No votes in an either pro-life or pro-abortion stance in that you’ll lose as many votes as you win. So sit on the fence and the party can’t get blamed by either side. You have to admit. They’re good at what they do.
Fianna Fail never do anything that could be seen to be unpopular. It’s the reason we’re in the mess we’re in!
They wouldn’t even give you a thumbs up or down
Steve- there would be plenty of votes in giving me a thumbs down.
I always read your stuff at least, sometimes it’s borderline but sometimes it’s bang on the money.
They know how to play Irish people to a tee.
So after being in government for the vast majority of the years post Xcase including a time when Michael Martin was Minister for Health, Martins leadership approach is to cave into DevOg & co.
Please correct me if I’m wrong but I was under the impression that the majority of FF voted at their meeting, about 6 weeks ago, against the wishes of Michael Martin and decided to oppose the abortion legislation?
When did FF ever take note of its membership or the wishes of the electorate for that matter.
This is typical Micheal Martin leadership.
Best comment I saw here about Micheal Martin was from a fellow that went to school with him. It went along the lines that he was a sneaky bollox back then and that he hasn’t changed much.
What more can be said about the man.
Well done Meehole. You’ve found a way of enabling FF to further speak out of both sides of it’s mouth, without endangering your less than stellar leadership. The FF governments had the best part of two decades to do something about this.
” both sides of it’s mouth”
No, I think they are using another orifice!
TD’s are not elected to vote on what they personally feel about an issue, they are elected to be our collective voice. This is a total cop out by the party.
They get to not be stringed puppets? ? That has to be a first.
What about us? When do we get to vote?
We had two referendums. Or do you think we should all vote on every bit of legislation that passes through the dáil? Because that would be silly!
Typical FF, waited and waited to see which way the wind was blowing!! They still can’t decide, so they go for the ‘free vote’, and to hell with women’s rights!! Clearly shows they still have ‘the party before the people’ attitude!!
Why have the senators a vote, the public didnt vote for them so they are not democratic.
Are you familiar with our constitution? They vote on every Bill.
Some people rob banks but thats not right either.
Hilarious to see McGrath who is personally liberal on abortion leading the charge of the more conservatives against Micheal Martin and his faction.
More to do with leadership heaves and political ambition. Dara Calleary, the Mr. anon. of the current Dail had to go along with the mini rebellion so as to keep his own leadership ambitions simmering.
As ever in FF the needs of others are secondary to internal faction politics. Abortion is a side issue here.
Anyone who is prochoice should really look at what this prochoice doctor who aborts babies says. Women who are suicidal should not be given an abortion they should be treated as any other person with mental health issues is. http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=8szDctI9lXM&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8szDctI9lXM
It’s not about suicidal women. It it all about choice. No to abortion = no to choice.
People shouldn’t be given the choice to do wrong. Abortion is taking the life of an innocent human being who should have rights too.
Ah dear usual Jurassic religious bull
Maybe the man decided he had no authority to make his members vote in either particular way on such an important, almost personal matter. And I think he is right if that’s the case. There is no mention of political parties in the constitution. They are a contrivance to maintain tribal power. This is not a power issue and so it is only right that our elected politicians do what they are elected to do – show leadership as individuals. The time for herding silent sheep over cliff tops like the night of the bank guarantee is over. This approach will engender proper debate in the Oireactas and it’s about time.
It should be a free vote for all TDs in Dáil Éireann for all political parties
FG and Labour have made a mess of the real issues!
Political Parties should not impose the whip on Moral issues!
Enda you want to destroy good honest FG TDs.
Cop on!
Martin tried every trick & deceit going to make FF TDs & senators vote for this legislation, to enable the legislation to go through without a vote. This was the strategy, so all TDs could claim they didn’t personally vote for it. This game has now failed and each will have to show their hand & we will know exactly who we are voting for next time around.
Martin has shown himself to be a leader with no balls!
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