Politics

Cabinet rift over Bill on abortion for fatal foetal abnormalities

Collective political position proves elusive on contentious legislation as attitudes harden

No discussions took place between the Alliance and Fine Gael despite expectations a Cabinet meeting would be held. Photographs: The Irish Times
No discussions took place between the Alliance and Fine Gael despite expectations a Cabinet meeting would be held. Photographs: The Irish Times
Sarah Bardon
Fri Jul 01 2016 - 01:00

The Government has failed to reach agreement on a Bill allowing for abortions in the cases of fatal foetal abnormalities amid indications of an increasingly serious stand-off in Cabinet.

Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance are still at odds over how to vote on the proposed legislation, which was debated in the Dáil yesterday.

A collective Cabinet position could not be presented to the House by Minister for Health Simon Harris, who instead had to reflect his own personal view. Mr Harris said he would not be accepting the proposed legislation because it was constitutionally flawed and urged other deputies to do the same.

Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell has now called a meeting of all Fine Gael TDs and Senators in favour of repealing the eighth amendment. In the Dáil, she gave an emotional account of her experience with a potentially fatal foetal pregnancy diagnosis. *

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“Today as we sit here people are receiving a diagnosis to tell them to prepare for a death not a birth and that their misery cannot be relieved in our own country,” Ms O’Connell said.

Cabinet meeting

No discussions took place between the Alliance and Fine Gael despite expectations a Cabinet meeting would be held.

It is understood the Alliance and Taoiseach Enda Kenny are both refusing to alter their positions on the Bill. The Alliance, which includes Ministers Shane Ross and Finian McGrath, accept the Attorney General's advice that the legislation is unconstitutional. They are willing to accept the Government's opposition to the Bill but are seeking to abstain in the vote next Thursday.

Mr Kenny is adamant all Ministers must accept the Attorney General's advice and vote against it. A number of Fine Gael Ministers are minded to allow the Alliance Ministers abstain but Mr Kenny is insisting against it. Minister of State at the Department of Jobs and Independent Alliance TD John Halligan indicated he would be voting in favour of the Bill. He said he did not care if it was unconstitutional, but it was time for politicians to take a stand on this issue.

* This article was edited on July 1st, 2016