Coalition have yet to agree abortion bill stance

Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance have yet to agree a response to an imminent opposition abortion bill, despite the fact that a similar row threatened to bring down the Government at one point in the summer.

The situation was confirmed yesterday just three weeks before the Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit abortion bill is due to go before the Dáil.

Speaking at the weekly post-cabinet briefing, an Independent Alliance spokesperson said the issue has yet to be discussed either by the group or with Fine Gael.

A number of Independent Alliance TDs are believed to be in favour of having a free vote when the contentious bill comes before the Dáil on October 25, due to the controversial nature of the issue. Opposition attempts to liberalise Ireland’s abortion laws led to a significant division within Government, when the issue came before the Dáil last June.

At the time of the June bill — which sought to allow abortions in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities, and was brought by Independents4Change TD Mick Wallace — Independent Alliance ministers Shane Ross, John Halligan and Finian McGrath were known to be in favour of a free vote.

However, Taoiseach Enda Kenny insisted the bill needed to be voted down as it was considered unconstitutional.

The abortion issue has received increasing attention in recent months due to the growing “Repeal” campaign and plans for the State-backed Citizens’ Assembly to hold its first discussions on the matter on October 15. While it is widely expected the AAA-PBP bill on October 25 will be voted down in order to allow the Citizens’ Assembly conduct its work, such a move will place further pressure on Independent Alliance members known to be in favour of liberalising abortion laws.

Confirmation that the Government has yet to agree a position on the issue came after a Cabinet meeting dominated by Brexit; proposed new laws criminalising forced marriage; and talks on the budget. The Cabinet is to meet about the budget again on Thursday.

The Independent Alliance is to hold a separate meeting with Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe earlier that day.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny brought a memorandum to Cabinet confirming his plans to hold the first in a series of cross-border meetings on Brexit on November 2. While a spokesman said he has invited the North’s political leaders it is is unclear of DUP leader and first minister Arlene Foster will attend.