We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
LAST UPDATE | 23 Oct 2018
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS ARE to be initiated against Sinn Féin’s Peadar Tóibín, who broke ranks with his party’s policy by voting against the abortion legislation in the Dáil today.
As indicated by Sinn Féin party leader Mary Lou McDonald in April, Tóibín could face suspension from the party.
However, Tóibín told TheJournal.ie this evening that “this issue is far more important than my job or any job in Leinster house”.
The first vote on the Termination of Pregnancy Bill was held today with the Dáil voting by 102-12 to pass it to Second Stage.
The Dáil also approved that the Bill be sent to the Oireachtas Health Committee for discussion.
A number of TDs, who campaigned for a No vote in May’s referendum, voted against the Bill today. There were also seven abstentions.
A statement from the Sinn Féin party said:
The whip will now contact the party chairperson. The chairperson will initiate disciplinary procedures against Peadar Tóibín for his breach of the party whip today. This process will conclude in the coming days.
Tóibín told this website that his belief is that the unborn child is an individual living human being and the abortion bill before the Dáil states that abortion is “a medical procedure which is intended to end the life of a foetus.”
He added:
When TDs vote in the Dáil they are individually and personally responsible for the outcomes of the laws they vote for. This is a sobering responsibility that can’t be ignored.
I have been a member of Sinn Féin for 21 years. From a young age I was incredibly inspired by the selfless sacrifice of generations of republicans from Wolfe Tone to Bobby Sands. I joined Sinn Féin when it was not easy to join Sinn Féin. In the intervening years I have poured all my energy into building a movement to achieve a United Ireland and economic justice.
He said he will seek to amend the abortion legislation at Committee and Report stage.
“I will seek to stop Simon Harris forcing doctors and other medical professionals to provide or arrange abortions,” he said, adding that he will seek adequate reporting on par with the British system so that policy makers and the general public in future understand what is happening in the Irish system.
Before the referendum, McDonald said that irrespective of party members’ right to articulate their views on the issue of abortion, the party has “clearly drawn the line” on the matter of breaking the whip when it comes to legislative proposals and public policy.
“That is the point where elected representatives of Sinn Féin have to separate our private conscious views we have held with our public function and public role, that is the distinction,” she explained.
McDonald said party members that breach the party line will face consequences. This is something all members are aware of – including Tóibín, she said.
Sinn Féin policy is crystal clear. There isn’t an a la carte position. We do have people in the party that have a different view, and they articulate that different view. What will not happen on my watch is any ambiguity in terms of the absolute requirement to vote in the Dáil or Seanad chamber in accordance with Sinn Féin policy.
While Carol Nolan left the party for voting against her party, there had been suggestions that Tóibín may only face a suspension from the party for a period of some months, rather than permanently.
The other 12 deputies that voted against the Bill today included: Sinn Féin’s Peadar Tóibín, Fianna Fáil’s Marc MacSharry and Eamon O Cuiv and Independents Mattie McGrath, Danny Healy-Rae, Michael Healy-Rae, Michael Collins, Sean Canney, Michael Lowry, Michael Fitzmaurice, Peter Fitzpatrick, and former Sinn Féin TD Carol Nolan.
The seven abstentions included Fianna Fáil members, many of whom also campaigned for a no vote in the referendum.
John Curran, Pat Casey, Mary Butler, Aindreas Moynihan, Eugene Murphy, Charlie McConalogue and Sean Haughey were all absent from the chamber.
A number of members are understood to be attending the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly in London today.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
One for Me , One for Myself and One for the person who wrote this ;)
The true meaning of Easter, thank you God for sending the Easter bunny into the world. Amen
My mother has a gripe with Easter Eggs; “Sure there’s no more in them than a bar of chocolate”, so we never got them at home. This year I got a giant Kinder egg one and I’m already playing with the toy inside it. It’s like catching up with missed Christmases!
Cant beat them big kinder eggs…expensive as hell, but oh so good
You can never go wrong, in having leftover Easter eggs and making Rice Krispie buns… Devine, that’s the way il be recycling my leftover chocolate
What is this mysterious stuff “leftover” chocolate???
Leftover chocolate??? What is this rare phenomenon you speak of?
a little bit of irony last week, junior’s RE teacher implied that the Easter Bunny wasnt real……
15 nieces and nephews between me and my partner, 3 children and 3 of my children’s friends. 21 Easter eggs bought. A little over the average.
I’m always hangin for a pint on Good Friday!
And I bet it’s those who can least afford to who are buying the drink and the eggs !
It’s amazing how good the retail industry are at monetizing this sort of thing. From celebrating the execution of a bloke who thought he was the son of god to pressurizing parents into buying overpriced chocolate eggs. Genius!
Three! I have given out about four already and have at least another six at home ready to go, that is if Cookie Monster ie. hubby doesn’t get to them first!!
My mammy always buys me a giant Easter egg. A serving suggestion put an Easter egg in the fridge and than get a bag of marshmallows. Place a marshmallow on top of the piece of cool chocolate fresh from the fridge and enjoy :)
Aoife, the Lir handmade one one you desk is from Gizmo
My sons 5 and got his first Easter egg last year. His first time having chocolate. Im putting a limit on his eggs from others as I ended up giving the left over ones away at Halloween to the trick or treaters!!! #confusedwitches
And the average number of craps is…
When you get 3 or more eggs for Easter I get sick of eating them cause they all taste the same, so I diversify/change them into something else…it’s lush when you melt the chocolate and pour it into the Rice Krispies it’s a change
“Munster is the county…” someone opened their Good Friday alcohol a little early :P
Seriously. What a ridiculous event.
What ever happened to mother goose??? Bunnies and eggs…more like little brown k’nobblins
have your say