Ministers firmly reject X case referendum move
The idea was floated by TDs and senators opposed to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill currently going through the Dáil. They pointed to a constitutional procedure which allows the president to refuse to sign a bill and, instead, call a referendum on an issue if urged to do so by one third of TDs and a majority of senators
However, as it is unclear whether anti-X case legislation TDs will have the numbers to even force a Dáil vote on the bill this week, as it takes 10 TDs to insist on a division and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has made it clear the Cabinet would rather the matter went through on the nod.
The move by anti-X case TDs is being seen by ministers as a desperate last minute ploy to try and get support for a free vote on the issue in the Oireachtas.
Brian Hayes, the junior finance minister, dismissed the drive. “I don’t think it is going to happen. We’ve already had this debate. We’ve had the referendum.
“People have already rejected previous governments’ contentions that the X case ruling should not apply,” he told RTÉ.
Mr Hayes admitted a small number of Fine Gael TDs had problems with the legislation, but said “very extensive dialogue” was taking place in the party.
“The great majority of colleagues will back this. If we see a number of defections on this, I think it will be quite small.”
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar also hit out at the notion a referendum should be held on the current legislation which the Government’s hopes to pass into law next month.
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty said his party would not support a referendum as it backed X case laws. “Why would we support an attempt to frustrate that?”
Labour rebel Colm Keaveney is one of the driving forces behind the referendum move and insists it is legitimate because “this is not a parliamentary procedure, it is a constitutional matter”.
“For the Government to heavy arm backbenchers not to sign a petition to the president would be a step too far,” he said.
Such a petition would require the backing of 55 TDs and 30 senators, and it would still be up to President Higgins to decide whether to act on it or not.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for deputies who are concerned about their conscience to copper fasten whatever decision they have to make, whether that is under duress of the whip, to have the support of the people with respect to that,” said Mr Keaveney.
