Politics

Reform Alliance member Billy Timmins renews Fine Gael membership

Wicklow deputy expected to be followed by Fidelma Healy Eames and Terence Flanagan

Billy Timmins defied the Fine Gael whip to vote against the second stage of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Billy Timmins defied the Fine Gael whip to vote against the second stage of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Fiach Kelly
Mon Apr 28 2014 - 22:29

Another member of the Reform Alliance group of dissident TDs and senators has renewed his membership of Fine Gael.

Billy Timmins, a Wicklow deputy, last night confirmed his membership of Fine Gael had been renewed by his local party branch in recent weeks.

“My membership has been renewed but who knows what the future holds,” he said.

Dublin South-East deputy Lucinda Creighton has decided against continuing her membership of the party, having lost the Fine Gael whip in the Dáil last summer over the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

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Taoiseach Enda Kenny said at the time that anyone who voted against the Government on abortion would not be on a Fine Gael ticket at the next general election.

The deadline for membership renewals is this Wednesday, and Ms Creighton's husband, Senator Paul Bradford, has decided against renewing his membership.

Dublin South TD Peter Mathews has already resigned from Fine Gael and Roscommon TD Denis Naughten, who lost the whip over cuts to his local hospital, did not renew his membership when it lapsed 12 months ago.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames and Dublin North-East TD Terence Flanagan will also renew their membership.

Mr Flanagan last night said he will decide by the end of the year whether to apply to rejoin the Fine Gael parliamentary party.