Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SF votes to change policy on abortion
Party backs access up to 12wks
SINN Fein will support unrestricted access to abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy after a landslide vote to change the party’s policy.
The issue was put to the ballot before Mary Lou McDonald’s first speech as leader at the annual ard fheis in Belfast yesterday.
Delegates agreed to the move after a 90-minute debate which saw over 50 speakers take to the stand.
The decision makes it likely the Irish government’s planned postreferendum legislation will pass through the Dail and Seanad without rejection.
The outcome ensures all party representatives must advocate 12 weeks’ unrestricted access to abortion regardless of personal views or they will face the prospect of being expelled.
While it was a landslide victory in favour of pro-abortion laws, a minority of party members spoke in favour of pro-life positions.
They strongly backed members Carol Nolan and Peadar Toibin who will either have to ignore their personal views or leave the party.
During a linked motion, Sinn Fein delegates also voted by at least a five-to-one split to oppose any introduction of a conscience clause for members.
Unlike other parts of the UK, the 1967 Abortion Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, meaning that it is the only region of the UK or Ireland where abortion is illegal unless there is a serious risk to a woman’s life or health.
Earlier yesterday, Aengus O Snodaigh revealed Sinn Fein would drop its threat of a no confidence motion in the Irish Housing Minister.
The Louth TD said: “There is no plan to have a vote of no confidence, despite us not having confidence in Eoghan Murphy or this government.”
Labour senator Kevin Humphreys slammed the party’s choice to cancel the no confidence motion, claiming they had “got cold feet at the last moment”.