There was no consensus among the Opposition last night in response to the Government's decision to hold another abortion referendum.
The Labour Party passed a motion at its party conference last Friday endorsing a woman's right to choose, a stance which embarrassed the party leadership. However, the party leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, said yesterday that since 1992 when the issue was first put to the people of Ireland, the Labour Party has opposed a referendum to overturn the decision of the Supreme Court in the X case.
Mr Quinn said this was what the Government's proposal sought to do and his party would oppose it in the Dβil and call for a No vote if it was put to the people. He said a referendum would inevitably be divisive and emotive.
"The sole effect of this Bill is to dilute the constitutional right to life of pregnant women by limiting the grounds on which they can avail of medical procedures in Ireland," said Mr Quinn.
Fine Gael had not decided on a response last night. The party had previously agreed that the matter, once the Government had made a decision, would come before a meeting of TDs and senators.
Their first parliamentary party meeting since the summer recess takes place next week but it may not be raised at that time.
"Before the issue is considered by the parliamentary party we will be taking legal advice on the contents of the Government's Bill," said the party's health spokesman, Mr Gay Mitchell.
Following the publication of the abortion report from the All-Party Committee on the Constitution last November Fine Gael said it had not closed the door to another abortion referendum.
There was a general political welcome for the decision to establish an agency to deal crisis pregnancies which had been proposed in the report of the committee.
Mr Mitchell said this idea had been pressed by Fine Gael. "Last month, Fine Gael published the Care of Persons Board Bill 2001 to create such a Board." Two of the four independent TDs who support the Government, and who had been pushing for another referendum, said they were very pleased with the announcement.
"I haven't read the small print but on the face of it I'm happy. It confirmed what we had hoped was going to happen for the last few months," said independent TD, Ms Mildred Fox.
Asked if it would copperfasten her support until the next general election, Ms Fox said: "No, my support is on the same basis as before. It just means I don't walk away from it at this stage."
Mr Jackie Healy-Rae said he had always believed the Taoiseach when he had given a commitment to have another referendum. "I never had a shadow of a doubt. I'm delighted with the news but it's no news to me."
The Green Party and Sinn FΘin said they would be examining in detail the proposals. Green Party TD, Mr Trevor Sargent, said it was a false expectation to think that a referendum would reduce the number of people seeking abortions unless there was a comprehensive package for women in crisis pregnancies.