FG rebel senators are expelled as abortion legislation passed

Fine Gael lost two more Oireachtas members from its parliamentary party yesterday as two senators voted against the abortion legislation as it passed through the Upper House.

The loss of Senators Fidelma Healy Eames and Paul Bradford brings to seven the number of Oireachtas members now expelled after opposing the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

Sen Healy Eames told colleagues there was an absence of evidence showing abortion could stop a woman committing suicide. It was not in the best interests of women that the legislation was “railroaded” through because Labour wanted it, she argued.