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The Ceann Comhairle has called for the whip to be dropped on issues on conscience

Speaking to The Irish Times, the Ceann Comhairle expressed his views specifically in relation to the Eight Amendment.

THE CEANN COMHAIRLE Seán Barrett has expressed his view that free votes should be taken on issues of conscience within the house.

Speaking in today’s The Irish Times, Barrett expressed this view in relation to a potential vote on changes to the Eight Amendment.

In his comments, the Ceann Comhairle reflected on his time as the Government Chief Whip for the Fine Gael and Labour in the 1980s.

Eight Amendment 

The Eight Amendment was introduced into the Irish Constitution during Barret’s tenure in the postion in 1983.

The Amendment changed the text to acknowledge the equal right to life of a mother and her child.

After some debate around whether the initial Fianna Fáil-proposed wording of the amendment was too ‘pro-life’ – an alternative Government wording was proposed by Fine Gael and voted down in a free vote.

Speaking about the incident, Barrett said, “I’m not in favour of abortion myself, personally, but this wasn’t about abortion. This was about a wording that was going to cause difficulties.”

I often felt that on issues like that, the whip system doesn’t do any good.

Barrett went on to say that the use of the whip system in certain circumstances created a situation where the public could received wrong informaiton as it doesn’t allow for a “open, technical debate on a written constitution.”

Standing down 

As part of the interview Barrett said that he may stand down from his position as Ceann Comhairle before the next election – meaning a return to the Fine Gael backbenches.

Read: Gerry Adams wants Sean Barrett to meet with him over ongoing issues

Also: It looks like this man could be facing a motion of no confidence pretty soon

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    Mute Tom Mc Manus
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    Feb 10th 2012, 1:26 PM

    Best wishes Niall for your new venture. I hope you will still have time and energy to press for quality representatives for the Irish Diaspora. I would be very happy to see you and other people like you taking an active part in the affairs of our country.

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    Mute Sheila Murphy
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    Feb 10th 2012, 8:57 PM

    indeed, and keeping fully abreast of what’s going on here too. Gave a guy a lift this evening – just back after 10 years out of the country and he said that he wasn’t aware AT ALL at how bad it was here. He read about some of it online but he said that the realisation really hit home since he actually came back. We do need a strong voice abroad as well as at home, and here’s hoping those who have emigrated keep pressure on the gov back here. email is such a quick easy free way to do so…. just google their names and you’ll find contact details……. so best of luck to Niall – great work.

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    Mute Jon West
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    Feb 14th 2012, 10:16 PM

    I like Niall. He’s done a lot for the Irish community in Boston and he has always been proud of his roots.

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