Fine Gael ‘could be damaged by wrong referendum strategy’

The special Fine Gael meeting on abortion heard concerns that the party could be politically damaged if it gets its strategy wrong on a planned referendum later this year.

Former ceann comhairle Sean Barrett made the comments during a long meeting of TDs, senators and MEPs at Leinster House on the referendum and recommendations to liberalise abortion laws. Some party members also clashed, with pro-choice TD Kate O’Connell and pro-life Senator Paul Coughlan exchanging differences on the issue of abortion pills and medical services for women.

“There was a bit of sword clashing between the two, over women getting abortion pills and whether they would also have the support of a doctor,” said one attendee.