Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin has claimed that the Government’s proposed abortion legislation is “consistent 
with a pro-life position” and believes that his party should support it.
However he admitted that there were many within his party who disagreed, and did not clearly rule out a free vote on the issue.
His latest position marks an apparent change of attitude on the issue. In February, he said that Fianna Fáil had concern with allowing abortion on the grounds of suicide.
But his stance puts him at odds with large sections of his party, following the passing of three strongly pro-life motions at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis.
Mr Martin said he had indicated his position to the Fianna Fail parliamentary party and he said he doesn’t regard a referendum as an alternative.
“I think that the bill is consistent with a pro-life position. I think it’s a restrictive piece of legislation, which I think actually limits what the current situation is, I mean the current legal position is that basically a woman can seek an abortion on suicidal grounds in any hospital, one doctor making an assessment, no requirement for psychiatric assessment whatsoever.
“This bill provides a clear legal framework for that.”
However in February Mr Martin said said Fianna Fáil had concerns over including the risk of suicide in any abortion legislation.
Any such legislation had the potential to “open the door” to abortion on demand in Ireland, he told the theJournal.ie.
“That [suicidal risk] is the key issue for us and government has said, the Taoiseach has said in particular that he is not in favour of abortion on demand. He believes he can construct legislation to prevent such a scenario from unfolding,” he said.
“We will look at that legislation and examine it in terms of whether it facilitates abortion on demand or it doesn’t,” he added.
He described the suicidal risk as a “genuine issue” that he and many deputies within the party have, adding: “On the other hand we have to be very sensitive to the situation in terms of any potential risk to the life of the mother.”
And last year he expressed fears that legislation which allowed abortion in the case of suicide could create “an open-door situation” that would turn out to be “very difficult to hold back”.
Asked if his position was not to legislate at all, Mr Martin replied: “I remain to be convinced that it’s a doable proposition.
“It’s not as black and white as is being portrayed, and I’m not so sure that that route necessarily is going to lead to a significant improvement for anybody.
“I’m not absolutist in terms of being judgmental on people. But… I think we should do everything we possibly can to preserve the life of the unborn and preserve the life of the mother. And I think we do that in Ireland, actually.”