Irish Abortion Bill

Enda Kenny has defended his decision not to allow a free vote on the abortion Bill

 Michael Brennan Deputy Political Editor– 12 June 2013

 

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has declared that he is "a Taoiseach who happens to be Catholic but not a Catholic Taoiseach" after criticism by the Church of his abortion Bill.

It came after the Catholic Bishops had come out to strongly oppose the Government's abortion legislation.

But without mentioning the bishops directly, Mr Kenny said it was his 'duty' to bring the legislation through.

"I am proud to stand here as a public representative, as a Taoiseach who happens to be a Catholic but not a Catholic Taoiseach. A Taoiseach for all of the people, that's my job. I am proud to lead the Government in governing for all our people, all our people, all our people, irrespective of the sector of society that they come from," he said.

Mr Kenny got a round of applause from Government backbenchers in the Dail - with Sinn Fein TDs who support the abortion bill also joining in.

He also revealed the intensity of the opposition to the abortion Bill by referring to the material sent to his office.

"I'm now being branded by personnel around the country as a murderer, that I'm going to have on my soul the death of 20 million babies. I'm getting medals, scapulars, letters written in blood, telephone calls - and it's not confined to me," he said.

He and the cabinet are meeting today to finalise the Bill, which is due to be published later this week.

Mr Kenny said there was a requirement of the Government to govern.

"I've already made it clear there will not be a free vote for members of the Government parties," he said.

Mr Kenny said the abortion legislation would provide legal clarity for pregnant women whose lives were in danger and was about 'saving lives".

He was responding to a call at Leader's Questions queries from Independent TD Mattie McGrath to allow Government backbenchers to have a free vote.

Mr McGrath said that this was a legally flawed, medically unsound and constitutionally unnecessary Bill.

"It's not too late to take account of these concerns. It's not too late to allow members of your own party a free vote," he said.

 

Comment:

 

It would appear as though Mr. Kenny is trying to emulate the late President John F. Kennedy with his use of the thinly veiled, plagiarized statement in the article above. U.S. Sen. Bentson’s reply to that original statement would be quite appropriate here, “Mr. Kenny, you are no John Kennedy”. It is also interesting to note that Sinn Fein supports the proposed Abortion Bill for anybody who was not clear on their position regarding the abortion issue. It is very sad, indeed, to see our once proud, staunchly Catholic, ancestral homeland rapidly changing into a primarily secular nation that has apparently lost their moral compass with regard to the sanctity of human life.

 

Jack Meehan, Past National President

Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

Knights Of Columbus – 4^th Degree