FF splits over abortion as 21 TDs rebel on Martin stance
DIVISIONS within some political parties began to emerge yesterday even though legislation to hold a referendum on abortion passed all stages in the Dáil, making a May 25 referendum date more likely.
The Thirty-Sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018 will now move to the Seanad, where it is expected it will be passed, paving way for the referendum to be held.
However, divisions emerged within some parties in the Dáil yesterday as 110 TDs voted in favour of the Bill at its second stage while 32 voted against – including 21 Fianna Fáíl deputies.
In all, 41 Fianna Fáíl TDs voted in the second stage yesterday afternoon, with 20 FF deputies voting in favour of the Bill and holding a referendum on the Eighth Amendment.
This vote flags up an apparent divide within the Fianna Fáíl party, with half of its TDs who voted yesterday at second stage opposing the position of Micheál Martin, whose support for repeal has taken backbenchers by surprise.
The party leader also attracted criticism for granting TDs a free vote on the Bill, despite an overwhelming majority of party members voting at last year’s ard fheis to retain the Eighth Amendment, which recognises the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn child.
Fine Gael offered members a free vote. Only Peter Fitzpatrick and former ceann comhairle Seán Barrett voted against the Bill.
Fianna Fáíl sources last night said they felt the vote yesterday had ‘panned out as it was expected to’.
They said they do not believe there will be any pressure on Mr Martin’s leadership due to this, despite 21 of the party’s TDs voting against a referendum for which he had publicly declared his support.
One Fianna Fáíl source last night said grassroots members had previously expressed their disappointment in Mr Martin’s stance, saying they feel ‘he went too far as leader of the party to go down one side so strong’.
Another member privately said ‘he probably did go further than some people might have been happy with’. However, this source dismissed suggestions there may be pressure on Mr Martin’s leadership as a result, adding: ‘I doubt it. If the referendum was to be lost, opportunistic people who might want to have a go at Micheál might use that… but for now, no.’
Late last night, the Bill passed all votes at committee, report and final stage in the chamber. It will now go through the same process in the Seanad. This is expected to start next week.
Sinn Féin took action against deputy Carol Nolan after she voted against the Bill. It has suspended her from the party for three months.
The party said: ‘It is longstanding Sinn Féin policy to support repeal of the Eighth Amendment and to campaign in a referendum to achieve that objective.’
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said she recognises and respects the point that ‘people across society have deep and sincerely held views on the Eight Amendment’.
In a statement Ms McDonald said: ‘Carol holds strong, personal convictions on this matter. At all stages, the party has acknowledged and respected her views and her right to articulate those views.
‘However, Sinn Féin elected representatives are expected to respect policy decisions taken by the ard fheis and to vote in line with party policy.
‘All Sinn Féin elected representatives, including members of the Oireachtas, are aware of this.
‘Carol is a valued colleague and I very much regret this turn of events.
‘However, as legislators we have a responsibility to vote as we are mandated by long standing Sinn Féin policy, a policy which we strongly believe is in the best interests of women.’
Other Dáil deputies to vote against the Bill were Sean Canney, Michael Collins, Michael Fitzmaurice, Noel Grealish, Danny Healy-Rae, Michael Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry and Mattie McGrath.
‘He went too far as a leader’ Sinn Féin TD is suspended