Fianna Fail TD criticises pro-choice colleagues

Fine Gael backbench stays silent as Fianna Fail TDs say they do not want to repeal Constitution

TEN Fianna Fail TDs have said they will not support a repeal of article 40.3.3 of the Constitution as one deputy hit out at colleagues for their stance on the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment.

Waterford deputy Mary Butler criticised Fianna Fail Committee members Billy Kelleher, Lisa Chambers and Ned O’Sullivan.

She said she was unhappy with their joint submission to make abortion available for up to 12 weeks without restriction.

Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Ms Butler said: “I do not and will not support the joint proposal submitted by Deputy Kelleher, Deputy Lisa Chambers and Senator O’Sullivan and agreed by the committee on a 14/6 vote, and I believe it does not reflect the majority of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party.”

Ministers, Fine Gael backbenchers and Fianna Fail TDs were contacted by the Sunday Independent for their views on the committee’s proposals to remove article 40.3.3 from the Constitution and allow for abortion up to 12 weeks into pregnancy.

Each deputy was asked these three questions:

Do you support the repeal of article 40.3.3 of the Constitution?

Do you support the proposal to legislate for abortions up to 12 weeks without restriction?

Do you support putting the proposal to legislate for abortions up to 12 weeks without restriction to the electorate in a referendum?

At least eight government ministers have indicated support for the repeal of article 40.3.3 and providing for abortion at up to 12 weeks without restriction.

They include: Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children; Josepha Madigan, Minister for Culture; Regina Doherty, the minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and ministers of state Helen McEntee of Fine Gael and John Halligan of the Independent Alliance.

Charlie Flanagan, the justice minister, Eoghan Murphy, the housing minister, and Shane Ross, the transport minister, publicly stated their support for the committee’s proposals last week.

Finian McGrath, the Independent Alliance and Disability issues minister, told the Sunday Independent he supported repeal of the Eighth Amendment but will consult his election workers and supporters on the issue of abortions at up to 12 weeks.

Ministers Zappone, Madigan, McEntee and Halligan also answered yes to putting the issue of abortion at up to 12 weeks to voters. Regina Doherty said she supports abortion up to 12 weeks without restriction but does not support this going to the electorate.

“A simplified question will be presented to the electorate, such as “Do you want to repeal the eighth, yes or no?

“Details of the number of weeks will be dealt with through legislation in the Oireachtas,” her response said.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney, and education minister Richard Bruton declined to comment until they consider the report. Ministers of state, Catherine Byrne and Jim Daly, also said they wanted time to study the report.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week said he will read the report over Christmas before expressing his own views.

Only one out of 36 Fine Gael back-bench TDs responded to the survey last week. Dublin Bay South TD Kate O’Connell said she supports a repeal of the Eighth Amendment and the proposal to legislate for unrestricted abortions at up to 12 weeks.

Hildegard Naughton voted against repeal at the committee last week but offered support for regulated use of the abortion pill at up to 12 weeks. Peter Fitzpatrick voted against repeal in all circumstances.

A majority of Fianna Fail TDs to respond to the survey were not in favour of repeal.

Bobby Aylward, Marc MacSharry, and Eamon Scanlon replied no to all three questions. Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher and Kevin O’Keeffe said they are not in favour of repeal and other questions on the matter were not relevant to them. Margaret Murphy O’Mahony, Jackie Cahill, Mary Butler and Declan Breathnach said they are opposed to repeal but are happy for there to be a referendum.

Eighth Amendment Committee members Lisa Chambers and Billy Kelleher voted in favour of repeal last week. Anne Rabbitte opposed repeal.

Pat Casey declined to comment but said he had a pro-life background. Cork North-west TD Aindrias Moynihan did not address the questions specifically but said he has made his pro-choice views clear.

Fiona O’Loughlin and Timmy Dooley both said they were in favour of repeal.

Ms O’Loughlin said she wanted to read the report before deciding if she will support the up-to-12 weeks proposal.

She does not believe a referendum will carry the proposal and said another proposal may have to be found.

Finance spokesperson Michael McGrath and Kildare North TD James Lawless said they would look at the questions but failed to issue a response.

Housing spokesperson Barry Cowen said the party will facilitate a referendum on the Eighth Amendemnt and members would vote in accordance with their individual conscience.

However, he said he would not outline his own position until he has studied the Oireachtas Committee’s report, due to be published on Wednesday.

His colleagues John Brassil and John Lahart also want to read the report before commenting on their views.

The remaining Fianna Fail TDs failed to respond to attempts to contact them.