Noone accuses FG party member of bullying her
Senator: Abuse made worse by abortion debate
Catherine Noone A FINE Gael senator has accused a party member of bullying and sexism.
Catherine Noone, who last year chaired the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment, broke down as she made the claims to colleagues.
The senator told her party a male member regularly talked down to her.
She alleges the bullying dates back years but has got worse since the debate began around the forthcoming referendum.
In a statement yesterday, Fine Gael said: “Parliamentary party chairman Martin Heydon has written to general secretary Tom Curran regarding an internal matter within the party.
“Due process will be followed and the matter will be dealt with swiftly.
Fine Gael expects party colleagues to treat all with the utmost respect, professionalism and dignity at all times.
“Any internal party matters are dealt with in the strictest of confidence and Fine Gael will not be making any further comment.” Senator Noone was speaking at a meeting about women’s rights and the centenary of them becoming eligible to vote.
She said women would be reluctant to participate in politics unless they were treated as equals.
The senator did not name the person she was making the allegations against. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has pledged to fully investigate the claims.
Fine Gael expects colleagues to treat all with utmost respect
FINE GAEL STATEMENT
YESTERDAY