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JUNIOR MINISTER JOHN Halligan has hit out again at the party whip system, calling for a free vote in the Dáil for an upcoming bill on abortion.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Marian Finucane show, Halligan said that he didn’t think there was “anything worse” than having a TD in the Dáil voting a way that he didn’t want to.
“This is a new Dáil, this is a new concept as to what the Dáil is about,” said Halligan.
“And I don’t think there’s anything worse than having a TD that is in the Dáil being forced to vote a particular way he doesn’t want to.
That is not fair, it’s not right, it’s not good for politics.
Halligan was contributing to a discussion on a private member’s bill to do with abortion that was presented by Wexford TD Mick Wallace to the Dáil last week.
Wallace’s bill seeks to amend the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act to allow pregnant women who have been given diagnoses of fatal foetal abnormalities to have a termination in Ireland.
Halligan and other members of the Independent Alliance in Cabinet are seeking a free vote on the bill, stating earlier this week that it is a matter of conscience.
Citizens Assembly
Pressure has been mounting Enda Kenny to give members of his party and the government a free vote on the proposed legislation when it comes up next week.
Cabinet ministers have been informed that the proposed bill has been declared unconstitutional by Attorney General Máire Whelan as it clashes with the Eighth Amendment.
The Eighth Amendment grants the equal right to life where practicable to the mother and the unborn child.
The government’s approach to addressing the mounting concern over the Eighth Amendment has been to put it to a Citizens’ Assembly – a group of 100 people who will discuss the issue – which will meet in September for the first time.
Also speaking on RTÉ this morning, Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell – who gave a heartfelt speech around abortion in the Dáil this week – said that she would not be supporting the bill because it was “bad legislation”.
“I wouldn’t want a free vote on this myself because it’s still bad legislation,” said O’Connell.
It will get nowhere ultimately.
Seán Fleming from Fianna Fáil said his party would have free vote on the issue and that “matters of life and death” were conscience votes.
“I’m surprised fine Gael haven’t yet come to the point of view on this issue that the country is at” he said.
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What about the ibis near newlands cross??
@Potatoe-man: cruelly overlooked again this year.. maybe next time
@Potatoe-man: I was thinking the Aspect in Park west but that Ibis has a bit more class.
The journal writing a full article about a site making an error. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Yep sure the journal will have people looking for ‘Ballinyfin’
In fairness, it looks amazing. Would love to be loaded
Last time I was there the food was not great and the place cold! Was a few years ago though and sleeping was in a dormitory.
Yeah true, but I’ve honestly never even heard of it.. Still great to have the number 1 and a few in the top 10..well done hoteliers
Ah big whoop, it’s east instead of north. I’m sure whoever stays there can figure it out. They won’t be navigating by compass.
Its south-west. East of Dublin is the Irish sea!
Fine seaweed baths they have!
Is it still cheaper than The Shelbourne?
Waterford castle while nice is no where the nicest hotel in Munster not a mind top ten in the world !!
Can’t say I’ve been to either of the other too. But Ashford Castle is glorious
Americans who will spend 600 quid a night on a hotel, 500 quid a day on a private driver guided tour, and then moan at the price of a 2 quid handmade postcard….
A lovely hotel and well worth the visit. I was very lucky to be able to photograph both interior and exterior. The gold room was unbelievable a place of great beauty. Congrats to all both staff and owners. Unfortunately I could not afford a stay there now.
Stayed there for a night to celebrate wedding anniversary last year. An out-of-this-world experience.
Like the moon?
No Laois
Denito, you didn’t go in looking like that photo,did you?
And The Journal get the hashtag for this article (#KIM KARDASHIAN) wrong.
It doesn’t really fit in in Laois though tbh.
It has been there for 200 years, no point in moving it somewhere else now.
So the best hotel in the world according to 300,000 readers of the influential New York travel magazine. Basically, Americans.
Went to college there in the 70′s. Use to be run by the patrician brothers. Beautiful couldn’t describe the surroundings thou some of the brothers were a bit effie.
I’ve always wanted to go to Laos
I wonder do they take supervalue coupons in ballyfin?
Built 200 yrs ago in 2014 ?
Ballyfer was once won in a game of cards
Kim Kardashian obviously didn’t agree. Didn’t she leave early AND not pay the bill??
have your say