O’Dea joins FF majority and votes against bill

Limerick TD Willie O’Dea had a last-minute change of mind on the bill allowing for abortion in limited circumstances, and joined the majority of Fianna Fáil TDs in voting against it.

Despite earlier attempts by party leader Micheál Martin to achieve a party consensus to support the legislation, 13 out of the party’s 19 Dáil members opposed it after being permitted a free vote.

In a setback for the leader’s efforts to brand Fianna Fáil as a more progressive party and reach out to women voters, just six of its TDs supported the second stage of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.