Suspended from SF over pro-life stance
Tóibín told he won’t be on ticket if poll is held soon
SINN Féin TD Peadar Tóibín says he has been told that if there is a general election during his six-month suspension, he will not be on the party ticket.
He was also advised by the party that if he was to run as an independent ‘there’s no way back for me in the party ever again’.
He now says he fears his punishment may be a ‘de facto expulsion’.
It was confirmed yesterday that the Meath-West TD had been handed a six-month suspension over his decision to rebel against the party whip and vote against the abortion Bill at second stage in the Dáil last week.
This is his second suspension from the party on the matter, ‘De facto expulsion?’ Tóibín and Mr Tóibín has told the Irish Daily Mail that he wants to know if there is room within Sinn Féin for pro-life members. He says he wants to avoid a ‘Lanigan’s Ball situation’ as he believes the issue will return to the House in the future.
‘The two things the party has told me to date are: one, if there is an election while I am suspended, I can’t run for Sinn Féin. The second thing is, if I run as an independent during this period, there’s no way back for me in the party ever again,’ he said last night.
‘So my instinct in this is; I am obviously 21 years invested in the party and the key objectives of Sinn Féin; economic justice and a united Ireland, are my key objectives.
‘I need to know really does the party plan to have a future for me – is there space in the party for me? And I think we need to come to an understanding what the plan is.’
In a strong statement yesterday, Mr Tóibín acknowledged that ‘there are few issues as contentious as abortion’.
But he also said he believes his suspension could become a ‘de facto expulsion’ given that there is a ‘significant chance of an election during the next six months’.
‘It is my understanding that while on suspension I would be prevented from standing for Sinn Féin as a candidate and would not be allowed to re-enter the party subsequently if I seek re-election during the suspension. I am a proud Meath man and believe passionately that Meath needs strong robust representation in the Dáil.
‘I also believe strongly in economic justice and Irish unity.
‘It is hard to achieve this if I am being prevented from paying a full role in the Sinn Féin team. I will give serious consideration to this suspension over the next week.’
The party’s whip Aengus Ó Snodaigh confirmed his sixmonth suspension yesterday saying it is Sinn Féin’s position to support the legislation.
His suspension from the party is another blow for party leader Mary Lou McDonald who has come under pressure in recent days over Sinn Féin’s poor performance in last month’s Presidential election.