RTE news reports 19.06.2013 that another Fine Gael TD has
announced that he cannot support the Government pro-abortion legislation. See
also report in the Journal.
FINE GAEL TD Brian Walsh has confirmed that he will not be
supporting the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill in an email to
colleagues this morning and has also said that as many as 10 parliamentary
party members will oppose the bill.
In the email, obtained by TheJournal.ie, Walsh says that
while there are elements of the bill – which will legislate for the Supreme
Court verdict in the X Case – that he welcomes, he cannot support it based on
some of the concerns he previously highlighted.
“Last evening I informed An Taoiseach that I cannot support
its passage through the Dáil,” the Galway West TD writes. “I regret if this
decision has the unintended effect of placing you under additional pressures
from some of your constituents.”
Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One a short time ago, Walsh said
he had “no doubt” that there would be further opposition to the legislation and
suggested around 10 members of the parliamentary would oppose it.
“I am sure there are others who will oppose it,” saying that
members are being “forced to choose between their conscience and their
livelihoods”.
Walsh had previously raised concerns with the suicide
element of the bill whereby a woman is entitled to abortion in circumstances
where her life is a risk because of a threat of suicide. These concerns have
not been allayed by the publication of the bill.
The Fine Gael deputy is the second TD to indicate he will
not support the legislation joining Dublin South TD Peter Mathews. Senator
Fidelma Healy-Eames has also said she will not support the legislation.
Email to TDs and Senators
In his email to colleagues, Walsh writes that he has not
arrived at the decision lightly having come from a family “steeped in the
tradition of Fine Gael”.
He says he has the “utmost admiration and respect” for Enda
Kenny and does not want his decision to be interpreted as undermining the
Taoiseach.
He says the decision has also been difficult personally and
indicates that it may herald the end of his political career in addition to his
now certain expulsion from the parliamentary party for voting against the
government whip.
He continues:
“As a father of two young children with obvious commitments and responsibilities, I had hoped for a long career with Fine Gael, and I accept that this move will likely herald the end of my membership of the parliamentary party and, quite possibly, my political career.”
Walsh concludes the letter by stating that he hopes the
Taoiseach will listen to requests and grant a free vote on the legislation when
it comes before the Dáil and Seanad.
He adds that he hopes his position with party colleagues
will not be compromised by his decision to vote against the legislation.
