Fine Gael is to oppose the Government's chosen method of dealing with abortion unless it is further clarified but has not agreed a position on the issue itself.
As the Dβil debate on the Government's proposal gets under way this morning, Fine Gael is to seek a three-month postponement of a vote on the matter. The party will demand that in the interim, the Government give a detailed explanation of its plan to hold a referendum that would underpin subsequent legislation to overturn the 1992 Supreme Court decision in the X case.
Fine Gael will today propose an amendment to the Government motion, with the party seeking a three-month postponement "to enable the Government to present to Dβil ╔ireann satisfactory reasons for the mechanisms being proposed and their implications for the Oireachtas, the Courts and the public interest".
However, the Government is almost certain to press ahead with its motion that its Bill be read a second time - effectively allowing it proceed to detailed consideration at committee stage. A Government spokesman said last night the Coalition would seek to provide Fine Gael with any clarification it sought but was very unlikely to accede to the request for a three- month postponement. However, no date has been set for the vote at the end of the second stage debate that begins today.
Fine Gael's health spokesman, Mr Gay Mitchell, said last night that if its calls for clarification were not heeded, Fine Gael would oppose the Bill.
Fine Gael devised its strategy after a front-bench meeting on Tuesday night, a parliamentary party meeting and another front- bench meeting yesterday afternoon discussed the issue. With deputies and senators divided as to whether to support or oppose another abortion referendum, the new position allows them oppose the Government's plans on technical grounds without taking a position on the substantive issue.
However, several Fine Gael deputies said last night they would express divergent views in the Dβil on whether a referendum should be held at all, and if it is held, whether it should be supported.
Mr Mitchell said the Government's proposed legislation on abortion could only be changed by referendum. However it could be interpreted by the courts, while medical practitioners would continue to act according to their Medical Council guidelines, which were subject to change.
"So the Oireachtas and the President would be written out of the process while the courts and the Medical Council will have a big say in how the law will be interpreted."
He also objected to section five of the Bill which, he said, allowed the Minister for Health make orders as to the places where terminations of pregnancy could be carried out. "So a Minister could specify just a single hospital, or could specify every doctor's surgery in the State, depending on whether the Government of the day was supported by Independents led by Joe Higgins or Dana. Should they be the people who influence this decision?" Mr Mitchell asked.