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Lucinda Creighton with Taoiseach Enda Kenny last year Niall Carson/PA Archive/Press Association Images

D-day for Creighton as Dáil to vote on abortion legislation

Fine Gael looks likely to lose the European Affairs minister when the Dáil debates and votes on amendments to the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill today but other wavering TDs could now support the new law.

FINE GAEL FACES losing one of its most high-profile ministers as the Dáil votes again on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill today.

European Affairs Minister Lucinda Creighton is likely but not yet certain to vote against the legislation when a vote on various amendments to the bill are called today and tonight.

One Fine Gael source said yesterday it was their belief that she would vote against the legislation but that they could not be certain. However, the source added that four other wavering TDs are now less likely to vote against the bill.

Creighton has sought several amendments to the bill – including representation for the unborn and the removal of the suicide clause – which will be considered during today’s debate but are likely to be dismissed by the Minister for Health James Reilly.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio yesterday, Creighton said she would “find it very difficult” to support the legislation as it stands but would not be definitive on whether or not she will support the bill.

If Creighton joins the four Fine Gael TDs who voted against the legislation at second stage last week, Creighton will immediately lose her junior ministerial post and will automatically resign from the parliamentary party.

She will also face losing her office in the Fine Gael wing of Leinster House, will be relegated to the backbenches of the Dáil chamber and will likely not be chosen to run for the party at the next general election.

Four other Fine Gael TDs

Several other Fine Gael TDs have been wavering on the legislation including James Bannon, John-Paul Phelan, Michelle Mulherin, and John O’Mahoney.

Phelan said that he had nothing more to add to what he has already said about the bill. Bannon, Mulherin and O’Mahoney did not return calls. However the Fine Gael source indicated that it is increasingly likely these four will support the legislation.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil’s decision to allow a free vote is set to see over a dozen TDs vote against the bill in its final form as they did at second stage last week with party leader Micheál Martin’s support for the legislation eclipsed by 13 of the party’s 19 TDs voting against the bill.

Others set to oppose the legislation in votes today are Sinn Féin’s Peadar Tóibín and six independent deputies Michael Healy-Rae, Noel Grealish, Mattie McGrath, Michael Lowry, Colm Keaveney, and Denis Naughten.

The Dáil will hold debate and votes on the legislation throughout the day. The first debate is likely to get under way after the Order of Business at around 11.20am and last up until 1.30pm.

The debate will resume at 4.30pm up until 7.30pm before the final debate on the bill will be held between 9 and 10pm when a final vote will be called.

Read: Lucinda Creighton seeks removal of suicidal ideation from abortion bill

Read: TD facing expulsion still ‘weighing up’ decision ahead of abortion vote

Read: Four Fine Gael rebels will lose committee memberships… and their offices

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    Mute Darragh O Brien
    Favourite Darragh O Brien
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:24 AM

    Say it ain’t so Leicester , say it ain’t so :(

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    Mute Andhesaid
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:31 AM

    If there is truth in this then they must all be banned just like the Russian athletes were. I think Seb Coe must personally lead the charge in this dopping scandal too!

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:46 AM

    So thats shy Daniel O’Donnel performed so well on Strictly come dancing!

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:47 AM

    Why……..

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    Mute Jo Buckley
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 10:08 AM

    What a surprise! Not only Italians, Spaniards and Eastern Europeans take performance enhancing drugs. British media always derides these countries for their lack of sportsmanship. A little of humble pie is required.
    Let’s see where this end.

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    Mute John Buckley
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:40 AM

    Very bad picture. We could have got a look at that bad Doctor’s face!

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    Mute Mark Noonan
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 12:54 PM

    Arsenal players are innocent in this scandal. There’s no way you can take performance enhancing drugs & only win two trophies in 12 years.

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 1:50 PM
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    Mute William Boyd
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 9:39 AM

    I’d say it would be easier to count the ones who don’t dope in certain sports, I think there is a mindset if I don’t keep up with the Joneses I simply won’t be able to compete at the highest level?.

    This story does have the potential of opening up a Pandora’s box if the media really get their teeth into it?.

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    Mute Davor Niksic
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 11:53 AM

    Where there’s demand, there’s supply.

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 1:50 PM

    Who would have guess that lol…

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 2:22 PM

    Interesting profile of a GP who seems to have a range of treatments which seem almost too good to be true!

    https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=851175108243732&id=223097867718129

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