SEVERAL PUBLIC FIGURES have called for TDs to be given a free vote on the Government’s proposed legislation on abortion, which would allow a threat to the life of a woman – including death by suicide – to be grounds for a termination.
The four Catholic archbishops last night called for a free vote, saying public representatives should be permitted to individually examine the “profound moral questions” involved in their decision. Some politicians, including Fine Gael’s Eoghan Murphy and Fianna Fail’s John McGuinness, have also called for a free vote.
Murphy said the right to life of the unborn child should not be superior to that of a pregnant woman, but that enforcing the whip on the contentious issue could nevertheless result in “weakening” the decision.
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said there will be no free vote on the issue.
What do you think – should TDs be given a free vote on abortion legislation?
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