Inside Politics podcast: Fianna Fáil divided on Eighth Amendment

Leo Varadkar’s ‘lots of us did’ comment raises eyebrows

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin  announced his support for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution this week.  File photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons /The Irish Times
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin announced his support for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution this week. File photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons /The Irish Times

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin took his party by surprise with his statement in the Dáil last week, announcing his support for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.

Carlow-Kilkenny TD Bobby Aylward last night called a meeting of those in the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party who are opposed to their leader’s stance, which was attended by just eight members.

With his party divided on the issue, is Mr Martin at risk of a rebellion in the ranks?

On the latest Inside Politics podcast, Sarah Bardon and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to discuss this and why Leo Varadkar's "lots of us did" comment about house buyers borrowing from the "bank of mum and dad" has rankled some.

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Jennifer Ryan

Jennifer Ryan is a former audio producer at The Irish Times