Pro-choice TDs call for Noonan to be given frontline role in referendum

PRESSURE is growing on Leo Varadkar to give a frontline role to Michael Noonan in the forthcoming referendum on abortion.

The move would represent a dramatic return by Mr Noonan, who retired from the Cabinet last year. The call is informed by growing doubts over the Taoiseach’s leadership on the issue.

One senior Fine Gael figure warned: ‘We are months away from the Taoiseach’s first major referendum and we still do not know what his views are. This is leadership from behind.’

Figures within the prochoice wing of the party were strongly supportive of the move. One senior figure said: ‘If we want to secure the trust of the voters, Noonan would be critical. He has a wealth of experience; Noonan will spot any traps.’

The calls come amid anger within the pro-choice wing of Fine Gael over the performance of the Cabinet and the Taoiseach on abortion.

One TD warned: ‘If Leo sits any longer and harder on that fence, he will get splinters. He is the leader of Fine Gael now – he should get out and lead.’

There is a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting tomorrow and one TD warned that it would be heated.

‘There will be a serious showdown on this. At least 15 of our representatives are not on-side with any referendum.’

Pro-choice TDs also expressed annoyance with Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, who has expressed some reservations about changes to abortion law.

Meanwhile, sources close to Mr Noonan said he was not chasing any role on abortion.

Though he is still politically active and influential Mr Noonan is said to be ‘at ease with his withdrawal from cabinet’.

One senior party figure said, however: ‘He is an old warhorse; if the call came he would feel duty-bound, he has unfinished business with the pro-life movement.’

TDs believe that Mr Noonan played a key role in swinging the 1995 referendum on divorce thanks to strong performances in television debates at the time.

One TD said of the party leadership: ‘These new fellows are from the new soft, “hi guys”, Strategic Communications Unit school of politics. We don’t have an old dog like a Phil Hogan or a Pat Rabbitte to carry it through.’

Growing doubts over Taoiseach’s leadership