Fine Gael seems set to oppose the proposed abortion referendum, but would allow individual members to campaign according to their conscience. The abortion legislation is due to complete its passage through the Oireachtas this week.
So far Fine Gael has declined to state a definitive view on the proposed referendum, but yesterday the party's health spokesman, Mr Gay Mitchell, said he believed the majority of the party "for one reason or another" was against it.
However, he said that diversity of opinion would be respected.
"Whether we allow a free vote in the constituencies or else have a conscience opt-out clause has to be decided. We won't whip anybody to do anything their conscience will not allow them to do."
Labour, the Greens and Sinn FΘin are against the legislation. The attitude of the Catholic Hierarcy will be known after a two-day meeting of the Irish bishops' conference which begins tomorrow.
The completion of all stages of the Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy Bill, 2001, will also increase pressure on the Progressive Democrats to state whether they wish to see a referendum held. A PD senator, Mr John Dardis, said in the Seanad last week that such a poll would be "unwise".
Mr Mitchell said once the legislation has passed through the Seanad this week, Fine Gael would make its position clear very quickly. He stressed that the parliamentary party had yet to state its final decision on the matter.
"I don't want to pre-empt that decision. Anyway I think there is at least a fair chance this will not go to the people in a referendum at all," he said.