For voting to protect unborn babies’ lives, an Irish member of parliament has been suspended from her party.
The Irish News reports TD Carol Nolan, a member of Sinn Féin, voted against her party Wednesday on the referendum of the Eighth Amendment, which protects unborn babies’ right to life.
A referendum vote on the amendment is slated for May.
Though her party supports legalizing abortion in Ireland, Nolan does not and voted against the pro-abortion referendum. For voting her conscience, the party suspended Nolan for three months, according to the report.
Nolan was not alone in her “no vote.” According to the Irish Times, 27 TDs opposed the referendum. However, Fianna Fáil party members were free to vote their consciences on the issue, the report states.
Minister for Health Simon Harris, who supports legalized abortion, said he was surprised and disappointed that so many voted against the amendment.
Here’s more from the Irish News:
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she recognised Ms Nolan’s strong anti-abortion views.
“At all stages, the party has acknowledged and respected her views and her right to articulate those views,” she said.
“However, Sinn Féin elected representatives are expected to respect policy decisions taken by the Ard Fheis and to vote in line with party policy.
“All Sinn Féin elected representatives, including members of the Oireachtas, are aware of this.
“Carol is a valued colleague and I very much regret this turn of events.
“However, as legislators we have a responsibility to vote as we are mandated by long standing Sinn Féin policy, a policy which we strongly believe is in the best interests of women.”
Another Sinn Féin party member who also supports unborn babies’ rights, TD Meath West Peader Toíbín, did not attend the vote, the report states.
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Ireland is under intense pressure to repeal its Eighth Amendment, which protects unborn babies’ right to life. Abortion activists, backed by some of the world’s richest men, are pushing the pro-life country to legalize abortion on demand.
Earlier in March, politicians proposed a bill that could legalize abortion for almost any reason up to birth if the referendum passes.
Legalizing abortion in Ireland will cause more women and children to suffer and die. Pro-lifers estimate that the Eighth Amendment has saved approximately 100,000 unborn babies’ lives from abortion.
Pro-life groups have about 1,000 volunteers knocking on doors across Ireland to save the Eighth Amendment and unborn babies’ lives. They are up against a biased media and huge, illegal donations from American businessmen who are intent on pushing Ireland to adopt abortion on demand.
