Fine Gael may hold free vote on repealing Eighth Amendment

Fine Gael will be allowed a free vote on the repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution if a constitutional convention supports the proposition.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny told a parliamentary party meeting that he would convene a citizen-led body to examine the amendment, which gives equal right to life to a mother and her unborn child.

Mr Kenny said TDs and Senators will then be allowed to have a free vote on whatever the body proposes.

Mr Kenny told the meeting it was his belief that the amendment should be examined by a citizen-led body like the Constitutional Convention.

The Taoiseach told the meeting the party would not “run away” from the issue, but that it would be dealt with in a “constructive manner”.

He said the decision of the proposed constitutional convention would be facilitated in the lifetime of the next government if Fine Gael were re-elected.

Mr Kenny confirmed that a pledge on the issue would form part of the party’s manifesto for the upcoming election.

The move follows comments by the party’s deputy leader and Minister for Children Dr James Reilly, who called for a repeal of the amendment in an interview last weekend.

Dr Reilly also spoke at the parliamentary meeting. He said it was necessary for this issue to be addressed and that nobody could stand over the position as it was.

The Minister said: “It is wrong to force a woman to carry to full term a baby that has no chance of survival.”

Fatal foetal abnormalities

Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty also raised the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities at the end of the parliamentary meeting.

She said an internal Fine Gael committee would be meeting with affected parents within the next week or so.

Ms Doherty asked the Taoiseach if the committee could meet with TDs and Senators to explore their views before the party’s position on the issue was drafted.