Bannon expected to vote with Government on abortion bill
The Dáil looks set to debate the Government's controversial bill on abortion until well after midnight tonight.
Two of the Athlone region’s TDs intend to vote against the government on the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill, but Fine Gael representatives James Bannon and Nicky McFadden are likely to vote for the legislation in the final vote on the bill.
Deputy Bannon, who had expressed grave reservations about anything that might permit abortion in any form, was initially expected to be one of the TDs who might vote against the government on the issue.
He recently pointed out that he never said he would not be supporting the bill, though he remains steadfastly opposed to abortion.
“This is a very restrictive piece of legislation as far as I can see,” he said, adding that the provision which imposes a jail term of 14 years in respect of anyone carrying out an abortion illegally was added to the bill as a concession to him.
“I wanted to get some concessions, and I have had ongoing discussions with both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health with regard to suicidal intent, and some of my amendments have been taken on board,” he said.
“The big problem goes back to 1992 when the Supreme Court ruled that the legislation at that particular time did include suicidal intent. What I feel should have happened in the intervening years was that women who were in distress should have been looked after. Facilities weren’t put in place.”
The Longford native added that this wasn’t an “abortion bill”, but a bill aimed at protecting life during pregnancy.
Deputies Robert Troy and Denis Naughten were among the 24 TDs who voted against the Bill during last week’s second stage.
Troy now said it is “highly unlikely” that he will be supporting the Bill during tonight's vote on the issue.
“We have to wait and see what comes back from the committee and report stage, but all the indications are that there is going to be no major change to the legislation.
“I have grave reservations in relation to this issue around Head 9, the deliberate self-destruction, based purely and utterly on the medical advice available to us. Abortion is not a treatment for suicide ideation,” he said.
Independent Roscommon/Longford TD Denis Naughten will also vote against the bill when the final vote on it is taken.
“Very little amendments were taken at committee stage. In fact, I’m disappointed with the level of interaction with the Minister,” he said.
Prior to last week’s vote, he said he would not support the Bill if suicide provision was included.
“The reason for my objection to the suicide provision is because Sam Coulter Smith, the Master of the Rotunda, did not believe it was in the best interest of the woman or health services and I respect his opinion,” said Deputy Naughten, who added that Dr Kevin Malone told the Oireachtas hearings that the inclusion of a suicide provision could in fact lead to a higher rate of suicide in young men.
“I believe there is no medical evidence to support the inclusion of a suicide provision,” said Deputy Naughten.
Labour's Deputy Willie Penrose voted with the government, and will do likewise this week.
“I’m happy with the bill,” he said, adding that obviously he would consider whatever other amendments may be made to it.
He stressed that rather than “opening the floodgates” to abortion, the new legislation will actually circumscribe it.
“There is an untrammelled right laid down by the Supreme Court and I’m beginning to despair of people who think the courts are a great place when it suits them.
“No new rights are being created: it’s very restricted and very very tight and we’re bound by a constitution - unlike other jurisidctions who don’t have a constitution.
“A lot of people want other rights put into [this legislation] - but they’re not allowed because of the constitution - such as abortion in the case of fetal abnormality, or incest or rape.
“Legally and medically, the perspective is to save all lives - there’s a constitutional imperative.”