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.

The growing furore over the issue saw pro-life activists storm the Tánaiste’s offices to chain themselves to the furniture. Yet, irrespective of Ms Harney’s stance, the regulations look set to be blocked today by a group of five other countries at an EU Ministerial Council meeting.

While Ms Harney said the Attorney General’s advice was sought on legal issues surrounding the Government’s support for the proposal, constitutional question marks also emerged last night.

In a debate at the FF Parliamentary Party, described as “passionate,” Mr Ahern said

the vote was solely about whether there will be guidelines for funding as he made a carefully worded explanation of the Government’s support for the proposal, which mirrored Ms Harney’s position.

Following the meeting, FF chairman Séamus Kirk said the Taoiseach went a considerable distance to mollify the concerns within the party. But it still did nothing to appease critics of the regulations, especially FF Senator John Hanafin, who headed the opposition within the Oireachtas and the party.

“Under no circumstances will I agree to research on a human embryo, which is a human life. Nothing has changed and that’s the reality,” he said.

At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Ms Harney briefed her colleagues on her intentions and the Cabinet confirmed its support for her position while also noting and regretting the widespread confusion on the issue.

Facing intense questioning in the Dáil from all four main Opposition parties, the Tánaiste said without the regulations, the situation would be unregulated.

“I believe controls, regulations and safeguards are far better than a free-for-all,” she said.

Also last night, FF TD and Oireachtas health committee chairman Batt O’Keeffe appeared to suggest the Tánaiste had gone on a solo run when voting in favour of EU funding for stem cell research last year.

“Unfortunately, it would appear the horse has bolted,” he said.

But a Government spokesperson said any suggestion that Ms Harney took a unilateral stance on the issue of stem cell research was mischievous and false. The position was agreed by the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen and Health Minister Micheál Martin.

The issue also came up in the Seanad, where Sen David Norris said he would be glad when the debate ends as he had never heard such nonsense on TV and radio.