John Halligan to vote against Government on Wallace Bill

Independent TD John Halligan is to vote against the Government by voting for Mick Wallace’s abortion bill.

The Independent Alliance has previously said it will not settle for anything but a free vote on a Bill to allow for abortions in the cases of fatal foetal abnormalities.

“The Independent Alliance believe we should have a free vote on this to vote how we wish. It is unfortunate there will be conflict between us and and the Government over this ,” he said.

The proposed legislation from Independent4Change TD Mick Wallace would allow for terminations in the cases of fatal foetal abnormalities. The Bill has been ruled unconstitutional by Attorney General Máire Whelan.

Speaking on RTE’s Marian Finucane Show, he said: “There’s a new Dáil and votes are supposed to be taken on matters of conscience and I think that is what the Government should do.”

“The independent alliance had a meeting in Athlone yesterday without councillors and TDs and we have all backed that situation that there should be a free votes,” he said.

Responding to reports that Independent Alliance members Minister for Transport Shane Ross and Minister of State at the Department of Health Finian McGrath were told they had the backing of supporters to vote against the government , Mr Halligan said:

“We have the backing of our supporters to vote against the government, absolutely. We’re Independents and we’re part of a government that has initiated new procedures in the Dáil,” he said.

Mr Halligan said despite fellow Independent Alliance member and Minister for Transport Shane Ross being a cabinet minister, he can vote against the Government.

“We find it unacceptable that the Government would say you can’t have a free vote on it. We are not Fine Gael, we are the Independent Alliance,” he said.

Mr Halligan said there is nothing in the programme for partnership agreed with Fine Gael that prevents a free vote.

Mr Halligan said he will vote against the government despite Taoiseach Enda Kenny stating he will not allow free vote

“That’s OK for Enda Kenny but I am saying that as part of Government we are still an independent entity. We have agreed to support the government on votes of confidence and budgets and on the programme for government. In that programme for government, nobody can point out for me the words foetal fatal abnormality - it is not in it.

“I cannot understand why everybody else has a free votes on it. Fine Gael members say privately they wish there was a free vote. It is the prerogative of Fine Gael to say to its member we are not giving a free vote but that does not stand with the Independent Alliance,” he said.

“We are looking for leeway on this as it is a huge issue of conscience for us,” he said.