Fianna Fáil backs judge-led commission to consider liberalising the abortion laws further

A judge-led commission should be set up to consider liberalising the abortion laws further, Fianna Fáil has said.

The main Opposition party responded to Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s suggestion this week that a forum or convention be set up to examine if a referendum should be held.

Director of elections Billy Kelleher said that this would be the party’s position in the run up to the general election.

TDs would be given a free vote, as their conscience decides on any relevant legislation, said the party’s health spokesman.

“You can’t just put it to the people to repeal the eighth. What replaces it? Is it up to legislature or just a straight vote?” Mr Kelleher said.

Billy Kelleher

“A judge-led commission could look at the legal, medical, and ethical issues of abortion without it being politicised”, the Cork North Central said, as he ruled out Fianna Fáil supporting an Oireachtas Committee debating the matter.

The Taoiseach told his parliamentary party this week that he would consider setting up a constitutional convention or forum on repealing the eighth amendment, which protects the life of the unborn.

He said Fine Gael TDs and senators could be given a free vote on the issue.

Female Labour members this week proposed that abortion should be decriminalised and allowed in limited circumstances, including where there is a threat to the mother’s life or following a rape.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD John Deasy has said Mr Kenny’s U-turn on liberalising the abortion laws shows he was wrong to expel TDs and senators who opposed the coalition’s abortion legislation in 2013.

John Deasy

The Waterford TD, speaking to RTÉ, said: “I actually think what Enda said in the last couple of days was an acknowledgement that he got it wrong when it comes to people like [TDs] Lucinda Creighton and Billy Timmins [formerly in Fine Gael].

“He’s effectively saying ‘I really probably dealt with this badly’.”

Anything other than a free vote for Oireachtas members could split the parliamentary party, said Mr Deasy.

Senator Paul Bradford, who was kicked out of Fine Gael for opposing the 2013 legislation, welcomed Mr Kenny’s position, but also said: “The U-turn where Enda Kenny has now accepted a new progressive politics, freedom of conscience, pioneered by Renua Ireland, is a positive development.”