TDs against abortion to dictate if Dáil votes
The Labour leader’s remarks point to lingering Coalition hopes that the contentious legislation could be waved through the Dáil without such a vote.
Mr Gilmore said the matter now lies with those opposed to proposals to legislate for the 1992 Supreme Court X Case ruling.
“The issue of ‘is there going to be a vote’, ‘is there not going to be a vote’ — that is decided by those who are opposed to the legislation,” said Mr Gilmore.
“The Government side will put the legislation, and if nobody is opposed to the legislation, and nobody who is opposed... calls a vote, then the legislation goes through without a vote.
“All of the members of the two government parties will be expected to vote for that legislation.
“The Government will put the legislation. The issue of a vote only arises if someone opposed to it calls a division. That’s the way it works.
“The Government is not going to be calling a division on its own legislation.
“It’s not the Government side that decides if there is going to be a vote on legislation. A vote is only called if someone opposed to the legislation asks that a vote be taken on it.”
With Sinn Féin and the bulk of Independents supporting the legislation, the matter could come down to the 19 Fianna Fáil deputies to decide if there is to be a vote, expected in July.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was forced to concede a free vote to his TDs after failing to get the party to unite behind a common approach.
Mr Martin has said he does not believe there needs to be a vote on the legislation.
Avoiding a vote would mean Fine Gael, Labour, and Sinn Féin members who indicated they might vote against the proposals would not be put in a position to choose and therefore would not lose the whip for defying party policy.
Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, ruled out any prospect of Fine Gael following Fianna Fáil and allowing a free vote on the issue.
Mr Coveney insisted that the party was a “brand” and must stand united on the matter.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has made it clear he expects all the party’s TDs and Senators to back the legislation, which he hopes to pass into law by the summer Oireachtas recess.
