FG looks to stem rebellion over abortion

The Fine Gael leadership is confident of limiting a back- bench revolt over planned laws allowing abortion in limited circumstances — despite around a dozen TDs holding strong reservations on the legislation.

Four of its TDs are expected to lose the party whip today when they vote against the second stage of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill — with more threatening to join the final vote later this month.

And it was widely anticipated that Europe Minister Lucinda Creighton will sacrifice her cabinet ambitions and find herself outside of the party fold by voting against the bill.