Fine Gael TD calls for abortion referendum

Brian Walsh has called for a referendum after becoming the first Fine Gael TD to state definitively that he will not vote for legislation that includes suicide as grounds for abortion.

"I would like to see the question of suicide ideation as a grounds for termination being put to the people again by way of a referendum,” the Galway West TD told Galway Bay fm.

"If the people in their wisdom, having the benefit of all of the medical evidence that we heard in the course of the Oireachtas hearings on this issue, if they decide in their wisdom, to allow for legislation grounds of suicide, then I would have to abide by that decision of the people.

"That's how I would like it, and I think that's a fair compromise, I think it's a fair way of dealing with it."

He said he accepted he will lose the party whip.

His defection will be the first within Fine Gael since it took office as senior Coalition partner two years ago.