Political and clerical hypocrisy on abortion issue

Whatever discussion there is within the Fine Gael parliamentary party on abortion legislation is unlikely to be calm, and is certain to be unconsidered and insensitive.

There is no political duty that requires Fine Gael TDs to agree to a decision that is not of their making.

Enda Kenny has reiterated that there will be no free vote on the abortion legislation which is to be introduced in the Dáil early next year.

He said: "Everybody who's elected to the Dáil has a constitutional duty and when they are members of a party like ours, a political duty.

"That's why we'll have a very calm, very rational, very considered, very sensitive and understanding discussion of all these things."

Whatever discussion ...