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THREE INDEPENDENT TDs have confirmed they will vote against proposals to legislate for abortion in Ireland in line with the Supreme Court verdict in the X Case.
The three independent TDs - Michael Healy-Rae, Noel Grealish, and Mattie McGrath – confirmed they would not be supporting the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill when it is brought before the Dáil later in the summer.
In response to queries from TheJournal.ie this week, seven independent TDs have confirmed they intend to support the legislation, although some expressed reservations about aspects of the proposals, while five said they were currently undecided. Four did not respond to queries.
Kerry South TD Healy-Rae said he would “absolutely not” be supporting the legislation because he did not agree with it and claimed that the implications of it would make it “more dangerous” than abortion legislation introduced in the UK in 1967.
“In my book, it goes too far,” he said. “I wouldn’t support it in its present form. What I will do is I will participate in all the debates, all committee meetings, engage fully on the subject but as it being presented, I will not support it.”
Grealish said he would not vote for any legislation that includes the risk of suicide as constituting a threat to life in it and said he would be voting against the draft bill while McGrath said it was “fraught with dangers and inaccuracies”.
Tipperary South TD Séamus Healy said he supported the legislation and would be voting for it as he had done with previous private members’ bills that proposed legislating for the X Case.
Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly, Kildare North deputy Catherine Murphy, Donegal South West TD Thomas Pringle and Dublin South TD Shane Ross all confirmed they would support the legislation, the latter calling for a free vote on what he said was “matter of conscience”.
Waterford TD John Halligan said the legislation is a “step forward” but said it did not go far enough in dealing with women who become pregnant as a result of rape or incest or who have pregnancies involving a fatal foetal abnormality.
John Halligan (left) and Richard Boyd Barrett (right). Photo: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
“I think I wouldn’t like to vote against it,” he told TheJournal.ie, while stressing that he would seek to amend the legislation to include provisions for “abortion on demand in Ireland if you come impregnated through violation of a woman’s body” or foetal abnormalities.
Dublin North-Central TD Finian McGrath said he would likely support the bill but said he had “strong reservations” adding that he was “very annoyed” about there is no provision for abortion in cases of rape or incest.
“I will probably be voting for legislation but with strong reservations,” he said.
Independent TD for Dublin Central, Maureen O’Sullivan indicated she would not be making a definitive statement on the draft bill until she had time to read it properly.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd-Barrett said he was undecided, taking issue with the “ludicrous and outrageous” stipulation that a woman seeking a termination as a result of suicidal ideation could have to be assessed by as many as six doctors.
“This is a fudge bill aimed at assuaging the backbenchers of Fine Gael,” he said this week, adding that he would not block the bill going to committee stage but saying that he would have to “seriously consider” whether or not to support it.
His former United Left Alliance colleagues, Joan Collins and Clare Daly, are of a similar position while the Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins said “the provision which criminalises a woman with 14 years in prison in event of a termination of pregnancy illegally is something that’s just draconian and incredible”.
He said he would have to discuss the matter within the Socialist Party before the party takes a position and decides which way to vote.
Luke Ming Flanagan, Tom Fleming, Michael Lowry and Mick Wallace did not respond.
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23 years of age. Hope it works out for him. Met a 15 year old on the streets of Dublin last Sunday evening. I sat and chatted. He seemed to enjoy the company. On the street through no fault of his own either, lovely kid and clearly a fighter
Nobody should be on the streets, but at 15 God help him to be in such a vulnerable position. Fair play for not just walking past.
I’m unemployed and can work hard. Currently undergoing the day/week/year from hell … Any chances?
FairPlay very fond of,
Why all the red , no harm in trying anyway possible.
Thank you Patrick – guess all the red thumbers don’t have any vacancies/opportunities
Might not suit but I worked in a call centre before and they’re always hiring especially in sales positions because people get sick of it quick. Target based and can be stressful but Base salary and commission usually.. I worked in a Cork office but I know there’s plenty around the country.. They’ll hire based on motivation and interview alone and where I worked at least no qualification needed. I didn’t mind the work at all but not for everyone!
Ignore all the red thumbs Very Fond Of. They’re just internet trolls wishing nothing better to do. Hope you find something soon. I was made redundant after 12 years and found it hard to find work but after 10 months I finally got something. Wasn’t my ideal job and barely paid me for travelling to and from but after 6 months I applied to another job I really wanted and wishing 2 days had a response for an interview and landed that job. Been in it now almost 10 months and still love it. What I’m saying is take what you can then look if not happy because it’s much easier to get a job when already in one.
The “hell” that I mention above is only partly due to job/money issues. Other traumas this year also. Anyways – thanks for the contributions A B and Andrew .
@very fond of. what skills do you have? it would be useful to know what industry suits.
You should check to see if he is one of those missing kids and contact right people. Goodfor that young man in uUK hope all goes right for him now.
P.s good on that young lad for tweeting it. :)
Hunger is a great source, in the sense he got on with what he had to do with the tools he had available and it worked. I would employ someone with that much enthusiasm and commitment. Hope it works out for you and your new employer.
I heard our government piss on about all the plans they have in place to tackle the crisis on this issue. Once again all looks good on paper.
Gavin Redmond you are right all plans and no jobs.there are plenty of jobs if you are mad enough to accept twenty euros on top of your social welfare.then you have to consider bus fares meals irregular hours.They allow you to work twenty hours a week..but employers are jumping on the wagon and your twenty hours are worked out over five days.This means you are cut off the social welfare.In other words you are working for npothing what ever happened to enda kennys five point plan .AS YOU SAY ALL PAPER AND NO DEACENT JOBS
Homeless kids being sent to school, homeless teenagers sent to college, homeless women finding husbands, homeless men getting jobs, cash offers from all over.
Think I’ll give up my grotty bedsit and head out on the streets.
Better prospects all round.
No milk for the coffee, then. doesn’t it just suck?
Coffee is coffee.
And tobacco is tobacco.
You’re some tool Jack
My grandad was right, hunger is the best sauce!
you know that’s not actually about motivation right?
have your say