Division fears: Minister says he is against abortion plan
... as six Cabinet members say Yes to repeal
JOHN Paul Phelan has become the first minister to confirm he is against abortion being available for up to 12 weeks, as was proposed by the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment.
The Junior Housing Minister, and TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘My position has been consistently clear. Whilst I respect the work of the committee I am opposed to a 12-week blanket exemption.’
The revelation will heighten tensions in Government after six Cabinet ministers told the Irish Mail on Sunday they would support the recommendation, even though ministers were warned to take a low-key position.
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said: ‘I support the committee’s recommendations on the 12 weeks. I am good with all aspects of the report.’
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said: ‘We all have our own personal views on this and I won’t have a problem accepting the recommendations of the committee from what I understand to date.’ Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone referred the MoS to a recent speech in which she concluded by noting: ‘If we are to be the republic to which we aspire we must repeal the Eight Amendment, we must make abortion lawfully available and we must commit ourselves fully to reproductive rights for all.’
Arts and Gaeltacht Minister Josepha Madigan replied with a one word answer: ‘For’. And Super Junior Minister Finian McGrath said: ‘I support repeal. I am pro-choice. I will, however, be discussing this matter with my team which has pro-life, prochoice and people in the middle.’ Transport Minister Shane Ross has also declared their support
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan was a little more circumspect, but still favoured repeal. ‘The Constitution is no place for this issue. We made a real and enduring mistake in the early 1980s. I’m in favour of repeal. I will be closely reading the entirety of the report over Christmas and considering the options for legislative change,’ he said.
One source told the MoS that ministers were warned to take a ‘waiting for the Committee report’ line. And that no-one should jump the gun.
It is believed that several other ministers, such as Michael Creed, Michael Ring, Michael D’Arcy and Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran retain serious concerns about a liberal abortion regime.
However, Cabinet ministers Paschal Donohoe, Paul Kehoe, Simon Harris, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Simon Coveney and junior Finance minister Jim Daly all declared that they would be waiting to see the report before deciding.
‘My position has been consistently clear’