Kenny rules out free vote on abortion law for Fine Gael TDs
Fine Gael TDs yesterday called for permission to be given a free vote on abortion laws as there were suggestions that a Cabinet decision would not meet the expectations of a majority of people.
Coalition TDs addressed the Dáil yesterday and gave a mixed response to the Government’s expert group report on abortion.
But health minister of state Kathleen Lynch pre-empted Cabinet talks today and warned that what the Government could do would be limited and that another controversial case or incident would arise.
The fallout from a European court ruling last year over Ireland’s failure to legislate for limited abortion was heightened last month by the death of Savita Halappanavar in a Galway hospital after doctors refused to abort her miscarried baby.
Many TDs said yesterday that abortion was the most contentious issue they had faced, but members’ views differed hugely.
Dublin South East TD Eoghan Murphy called for an open or free vote for TDs. He said he did not favour abortion, but added: “I believe that the State has a responsibility to provide for the lawful termination of pregnancy in certain circumstances and some of these circumstances would require a change to the Constitution.”
Mr Murphy said legislation plus regulations would be an answer to demands from Europe for clarity following a court ruling last year.
Ms Lynch said the Cabinet was likely to favour this option.
But Government actions would be limited, she said. “Mark my words, however, there will be another incident, and we will have to return and confront this issue again. What we are about to do is far too narrow.”
The Cabinet decision would also not meet the expectations of the majority of people, said the Cork Labour TD.
Elsewhere, Galway West’s Derek Nolan warned of the “downright viciousness” of pro-life lobby groups, and said there was a need to give doctors legal certainty, clarity, and assurance when they acted in good faith to save the life of a mother. This included if there was a risk of suicide, said the Labour TD.
“If only one woman per year or per decade is at such risk, that woman needs to be protected,” said Mr Nolan
But Fine Gael’s Regina Doherty said she had difficulty understanding how an abortion could “resolve any issues for people who are suffering from mental health issues”.
Earlier, Enda Kenny said TDs would not be granted a free vote and that legislation would be decided soon on the issue of abortion.
Meanwhile, the UN special rapporteur on the right to health, Anand Grover, said abortion should be an option for women whose health was affected and not only where their life was at risk.
