Fine Gael MEPs have expelled Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon from their national grouping in the European Parliament because of her objections to the Nice Treaty. Connacht-Ulster Independent MEP Mr Joe McCartin said yesterday that Ms Scallon, his constituency colleague, had implied that Fine Gael MEPs were supportive of something that "created the possibility that abortion could be foisted on the people against their will". Mr McCartin said he had invited Ms Scallon to join the European People's Party after her election and "as a further courtesy" she had been invited to join the Fine Gael delegation which allowed her to attend their briefings. "We could have left her as an independent with no home to go to," he said.
However, Ms Scallon said the Fine Gael MEPs had failed to represent the democratic will of the Irish people. Not only had they expelled her, she said, but Mr McCartin was "now engaging in smear tactics by making false accusations of racism against those who opposed Nice and voted No".
She was shocked there had been no consultation or discussion and was now seeking legal advice on the matter. "The reason I and many other people voted No to the Treaty of Nice was because it was a bad deal for Ireland and Europe. I'm not against Europe or EU enlargement, but I am for Irish sovereignty and independence," she said. Ms Scallon was informed of the decision "to cease political co-operation" by Ms Avril Doyle MEP, who said she and her colleagues were "extremely hurt". "There was a feeling it was untenable, given that the clear message of what Dana is saying is that those of us who supported Nice are pro-abortion, anti-neutrality, pro-NATO, whatever menu you would like yourself, although they have no relevance to Nice at all."
Mr McCartin said Ms Scallon could remain a member of the EPP because they needed as many votes as possible to ensure the election of independent MEP Mr Pat Cox as president of the European Parliament in December. "If Dana can reconcile her conscience with what she has done she can carry on in the group, provided on the big day when we elect the president or vice-president she votes with us."