TDs scramble to get abortion legislation onto statute books
Ellen Coyne, Senior Ireland Reporter
December 4 2018
Almost 12 hours have been set aside over the next two days in an attempt to pass a landmark bill legalising abortion in Ireland.
Fianna Fáil has given up its private members slot to try to make sure the bill passes in time for legal abortion services to be available in Ireland by next month. The bill could be through the Dáil by tomorrow night.
Abortion referendum: the political winners and losers
Varadkar, Martin and McDonald strengthen their position while conservatives miss out
May 26, 2018
Fiach Kelly Deputy Political Editor
The referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution is set to be passed by a margin even greater than the most enthusiastic advocates for repeal could have imagined.
The campaign to repeal was led by civic society groups, principally Together for Yes, but there are still political winners and losers from an extraordinary campaign.We chart who they are below.
Fianna Fáil leader criticises ‘offensive’ anti-abortion claims
Micheál Martin says Eighth Amendment ‘cruelly insensitive’ to women of Ireland
May 9, 2018
Sarah Bardon
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has criticised “dishonest and offensive” campaigning by some anti-abortion groups, claiming they are deliberately spreading inaccuracies about what a Yes vote in the May 25th referendum will mean.
Mr Martin rejected the suggestion that repealing the Eighth Amendment would lead to unlimited abortions or late-term terminations.
Photo that may mark start of Fianna Fáil leadership challenge
Slickly organised Oireachtas members rally for abortion-referendum No vote
May 3, 2018
Sarah Bardon Political Reporter
“Hi all. A photograph of Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members who support No vote will take place at Merrion Street entrance of Leinster House. Please do not be late. We will be finished at 4pm.”
This was the text that arrived in the inbox of Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators on Tuesday afternoon at 12.39pm about an event for those opposing the repeal of the Eighth Amendment.
Pat Leahy: Government may fall before abortion legislation passes
Faltering Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil relations put election in mid-distance
April 27, 2018
Pat Leahy
No election or referendum, especially a referendum in this country, is a foregone conclusion until the votes are counted, but last week’s Irish Times opinion poll suggests that the Yes side is firmly in the driving seat in the abortion referendum campaign.
Our poll was mirrored in a Sunday Times poll published a few days later and in private research conducted in recent weeks.
Fine Gael succeeds by keeping distance between economy and abortion
Fianna Fáil’s conservative stance on referendum question risks alienating younger voters
April 19, 2018
Damian Loscher
Today’s Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll reveals a drop in support for Fine Gael. After retreating two points in January from a high of 36 per cent in December, Fine Gael has slipped a further three points to land on 31 per cent in this poll.
For Fianna Fáil, its poll rating is moving in the right direction, albeit with a marginal gain of just one point. With 26 per cent support, it has reduced the gap and is now just five points behind Fine Gael.
Anti-abortion TDs in talks to form cross-party alliance
Anti-abortion TDs from across political divide ponder joining forces to oppose abortion
Fri, Mar 23, 2018
Sarah Bardon, Fiach Kelly
Anti-abortion TDs from different parties are discussing working together to oppose the removal of the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution.
A number of concerned deputies consulted this week before agreeing to vote in the Dáil against a proposal to hold a referendum on abortion.
Several Fianna Fail TDs privately confirmed to The Irish Times that there were talks ahead of a series of votes on the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill.
Abortion referendum to go ahead following Dáil vote
Vote to hold referendum passes by 97 to 27, with 16 Fianna Fáil TDs voting against
Wed, Mar 21, 2018
Sarah Bardon, Marie O'Halloran, Michael O'Regan
TDs voted by 97 to 27 on Wednesday night to allow a referendum on abortion to go ahead.
After numerous votes in the Dáil, 16 Fianna Fáil TDs voted against the legislation, five fewer than in a vote earlier in the day.
The Bill now goes to the Seanad.
Sinn Féin to decide on holding Ard Fheis on abortion
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
By Juno McEnroe, Political Correspondent
Sinn Féin will decide next Monday whether to hold a special national conference to decide if the party will back the Government proposal to allow unrestricted access to abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Party sources say there are differing opinions internally on whether Sinn Féin should take a position, including how any divisive debate could impact on leader Mary Lou McDonald.
Sinn Féin unlikely to change position on abortion before referendum
Party now opposes terminations up to 12 weeks and must hold ardfheis to propose change
March 8, 2018
Fiach Kelly Deputy Political Editor
Sinn Féin is unlikely to hold an ardfheis to update its abortion policy before the referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment is held.
The party is currently in favour of repeal and allowing for abortion in a specific set of circumstances. However, it is currently not in favour of allowing for abortion without restrictions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy - which is the policy that will be put before the Dáil if the referendum passes.
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