Fine Gael readmits TD who opposed Bill on abortion

One of the TDs who lost the Fine Gael whip for opposing the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill last summer has been readmitted to the party's parliamentary ranks. Taoiseach Enda Kenny said last year that anyone who voted against the Government on abortion would not be on a Fine Gael ticket at the next general election, but the way has now been cleared for Galway West TD Brian Walsh to stand as a party candidate once more.

In the immediate aftermath of the abortion debate, Mr Kenny appointed Hildegard Naughton, who is from the same constituency as Mr Walsh, to the Seanad.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, another Galway politician who lost the Fine Gael whip over abortion, last night confirmed she would not be renewing her membership of the wider party. TDs and senators who lose the party whip can still remain members of the wider Fine Gael organisation. The closing date for renewal of Fine Gael memberships for the year ahead falls this week. Ms Healy Eames, a Reform Alliance member, said she had "decided with a heavy heart that I will not be renewing my Fine Gael membership", adding that the party leadership "made it almost impossible".

Terence Flanagan, another Reform Alliance member, said he would make his mind up on whether to rejoin the parliamentary party later this year. Sources within Fine Gael are predicting Mr Flanagan will return, but the Dublin North East TD insists he had yet to decide.

While others who have lost the party whip have voted against the Coalition, Mr Walsh has supported the Government on every other issue except abortion. He has also worked with the party ahead of the local elections – his brother John is a Fine Gael candidate for Galway City Council.

“Notwithstanding the change in my position vis-à-vis the parliamentary party, I have continued to support Fine Gael in government as it proceeds with the difficult task of repairing the broken economy that it inherited just three years ago,” Mr Walsh said.

“In the course of canvassing with the candidates in recent weeks, I have met a large number of party members who have inquired about my status within Fine Gael and expressed an interest in seeing me back in the parliamentary party.

“Having renewed by membership in recent days, I considered that this would be an appropriate time to seek to normalise my position and apply for readmission to the parliamentary party. Accordingly,” Mr Walsh added, “I am very pleased that the Taoiseach has recommended the acceptance of my application to the parliamentary party.”