Fianna Fail split deepens over stem cell research

THE Taoiseach last night backed the Tánaiste in her support for EU regulations on stem cell research, amid intensifying dissent within Fianna Fáil on the contentious issue.

As Fianna Fáil backbenchers expressed alarm the guidelines were effectively lifting the ban on EU funding of stem cell research, the Taoiseach was challenged by party members to express his views in heated exchanges.

While the Cabinet supported Mary Harney’s position, creating tensions within FF, it also emerged that the decision to provide €1.1 billion of EU funding for stem cell research was originally agreed to on behalf of the Government by FF Junior Minister Noel Treacy.