A leading member of the European People’s Party (EPP), the European political grouping to which Fine Gael 
belongs, has written [1] to Taoiseach Enda Kenny (pictured), telling him that his refusal give TDs a free vote was “alien to the basic values of the EPP”.
Luca Volonte, the Honorary President EPP Group at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, wrote an open letter to Mr Kenny to express his concern at Fine Gael not allowing a free vote on abortion.
He said that, irrespective of whether the abortion Bill was restrictive or not, his concern at the infringment of the conscience rights of Fine Gael parliamentarians “is valid regardless of the merits or otherwise of the legislation”.
Mr Volonte said that the values of the EPP were based on “fundamental, interdependent and universally applicable values, including freedom and responsibility.
He said “These values reflect our respect for fundamental human rights. Laws must evolve on the basis of universal respect for man’s fundamental and undeniable rights, as defined in the 1948 Universal Dedaration of the Rights of Man, the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union as confirmed in the Lisbon Treaty of 2009.
“Each of these human rights charters gives prominence to the right of freedom of conscience and thought.”
He said that the EPP Party Platform Document adopted by Fine Gael in October of last, explicitly stated “that it is necessary to respect the right of conscientious objection.”
Citing article 228 of that document, Mr Volonte added: “The right of conscientious objection is particularly engaged in matters -such as abortion -concerning the fundamental value of all human life.”
He said: “Our values should guide the political order and political parties must function in conformity with the rules of internal democracy. This surely indudes respect for the conscientious integrity of party members.
“Respect for freedom of conscience would be meaningless if it applied only to the consciences of those with whom we agree.
“It is truly tested and demonstrated when respect is shown to the consciences of those with whom we disagree. The judgment of a number of your Fine Gael colleagues that they cannot in good conscience vote in favour of the proposed legislation is one that ought to be respected.
“You may not agree with their assessment of the Bill, and its likely consequences. You stated, however, in your speech in Dai! Éireann on July l, that ifyou thought for one moment that this Bill would lead to the creation of a liberai abortion regime in Ireland you would not ask the House to endorse it.
“And yet Fine Gael parliamentarians are being forced, upon pain of expulsion from their party, to support the Bill despite their sincere belief that the Bill may well usher abortion into Ireland.
“To impose such severe penalties on colleagues for voting in accordance with their consciences on such a fundamental matter is alien to the basic values of the EPP.
“I hope and trust that you will reconsider, and that Fine Gael will live up to the values that we ali profess to share.”