Rift in Cabinet over abortion and judicial appointments

Serious tensions are brewing in Cabinet as Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance are at odds on a number of issues including the appointment of judges.

Despite calls from Taoiseach Enda Kenny for “cabinet collective responsibility” the Independent Alliance will press ahead for a free vote when Bríd Smith and People Before Profit-AAA’s Bill is brought before the Dáil next week.

The new Cabinet division over a free vote comes as the Independent Alliance have said they will not allow extra judges to be appointed until a proposed independent judicial council is appointed.