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01st Nov 2018

Sinn Féin suspend TD Peadar Tóibín after he voted against abortion legislation

Dave Hanratty

Sinn Fein Peadar Toibin suspended abortion legislation

The Meath West TD has been suspended for six months.

Sinn Féin has today – Thursday 1 November – suspended Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín for six months as a result of a breach of party rules.

Tóibin voted against the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 last week, presenting a direct contradiction to the party’s official position.

Sinn Féin’s Whip in the Dáil Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD made the announcement on Thursday morning, noting that Tóibín’s decision to vote against the legislation marked “a serious breach of the party’s rules”.

“The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 is in line with Sinn Féin’s policy position as agreed democratically at our Ard Fheis,” said Ó Snodaigh.

“The position has also been overwhelmingly endorsed by the people in May of this year.

“The party’s position on this legislation is to support it.

“The whip was in place and all TDs were instructed to be present and to vote for the legislation.

“Peadar Tóibín’s decision to vote against the legislation is a serious breach of the party’s rules and he has now been suspended for a period of six months.

“He has now been informed of the party’s decision.”

Tóibín has yet to officially comment on his suspension.

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