There will be no Mayo Fianna Fail TD in attendance today when the party’s Oireachtas members opposed to repealing the Eighth Amendment, gather.
Fianna Fail Oireachtas members have been invited to a “coming together of like-minded people”by Carlow-Kilkenny TD Bobby Aylward.
He emailed each individual party member, seeking their attendance at a meeting in Leinster House at 6pm this evening.
Mr Aylward said he had been approached by a number of his party’s TDs and Senators “who are anxious to come together and discuss the repealing of the 8th amendment and allowing unrestricted abortion for up to 12 weeks.”. However, according to today’s Irish Times, few have confirmed their attendance so far.
Those who will attend include Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness, Waterford TD Mary Butler, Kildare North TD Frank O’Rourke, Sligo-Leitrim TD Eamon Scanlon and Cork East TD Kevin O’Keeffe.
Speaking in the Dáil last week, party leader Micheál Martin confirmed he would support removing the 8th and allowing for terminations up to 12 weeks.
His comments caused anger within the party, with some TDs insisting he should have informed them ahead of his speech in the House.
Senior figures in the party believe the matter will be resolved when Mr Martin addresses the matter at a parliamentary party meeting tomorrow.
Galway East TD Éamon Ó Cuív and Donegal TD Pat “The Cope” Gallagher are also expected to attend.
Fianna Fáil spokesman on finance Michael McGrath, spokesman on public expenditureMayo’s Dara Calleary, Cork South-West TD Margaret Murphy O’Mahony, Laois TD Seán Fleming all confirmed they would not support the meeting, despite their opposition to repealing the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.
Mayo’s Lisa Chambers speaking to Midwest News on Friday firmly stated her support for Micheal Martin’s position.
Midwest News has asked Mayo based Senator Keith Swanick if he will be attending the meeting/ was he invited and are awaiting a response.
Speaking yesterday on Cork’s RedFm, Mr Martin said he accepted there were many differing views to his but called for respect in the debate.
Despite the rumblings of discontent within the party, Mr Martin said he was committed to leading Fianna Fáil into the next general election and back into Government.
