O'Fearghail says he would resign rather than vote in favour of abortion legislation

The Fianna Fáil Chief Whip said that he made it clear to Micháel Martin that he was prepared to resign from the party if forced to vote in favour of the draft abortion legislation.

The Fianna Fáil leader is, for the first time in the party's history, to permit a free vote on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013 when it comes before the Dáil.

The decision came after a parliamentary party meeting could not reach consensus on the measure.

The party's Chief Whip Sean O'Fearghail does not support the inclusion of suicidal ideation as a ground for an abortion.

Deputy O'Fearghail said that he told Mr. Martin that the application of the whip would force his resignation.

"It became very clear from very early on in this discussion that people were absolutely convinced of the rightness of their particular position and that people were not going to change that view," he said.

"I wasn't going to change my view I made it clear to the leader…. I would very sadly have to part the Fianna Fáil party."