McDaid abstaining on vaccine vote

[David Cochrane]

Fianna Fail TD James McDaid has said he will be abstaining from the Fine Gael members motion on cervical cancer tonight.

Dep McDaid called the decision to withdraw the plans for the cervical vaccines of 12 year olds as a 'death sentence' on a certain percentage of 12 year olds.

RTÉ News: Government wins Dáil vaccine vote

Not voting along party lines may result in the Fianna Fail whip being withdrawn from Deputy McDaid.

[Tulach]

I watched the debate, it went 75-65 for the Government to withdraw, hard to see if McDaid abstained.

[jmcc]

Not voting along party lines may result in the Fianna Fail whip being withdrawn from Deputy McDaid.

At least someone in FF has a sense of honour. Perhaps the scum in government should be stripped of their pensions and be only entitled to the standard old age pension. That would apply to all former ministers and TDs - in the national interest of course. Maybe this would fund the vaccine program in a publically acceptable manner.

Regards...jmcc

[Tulach]

The vote was just called 76-65 so a margin of 11

[Kf]

Abstained.....coward. Whats that overused quote again about good men doing nothing....its applicable here.

If Mc Daid really believes that the passing of the bill is a "death sentence" then he must vote against it. Otherwise he is supporting the death sentence.

[Casualbets]

That's a right stab in the back, and a very bad example coming from a man who has held ministerial office.

The question is - in the light of Behan's and McDaid's failure to toe the line - is internal discipline faltering amongst FF TDs? Is there a growing sense of "every man for himself?"

[Blue_Tide]

The man thought the government was endangering young girl's lives and yet he couldn't vote in favour of the opposition. Seemed like a cheap publicilty stunt and nothing more.

[PhoenixIreland]

I havn't been following this, why are they withdrawing the vaccine? RTE does not say.

[jmcc]

That's a right stab in the back, and a very bad example coming from a man who has held ministerial office.

A stab in the back?

The question is - in the light of Behan's and McDaid's failure to toe the line - is internal discipline faltering amongst FF TDs? Is there a growing sense of "every man for himself?"

I think that if Cowen doesn't get rid of Harney then he will be facing a backbench revolt before Christmas especially if the next Red C poll proves that FF's low rating wasn't the product of a rogue poll.

Regards...jmcc

[pfkf]

I havn't been following this, why are they withdrawing the vaccine? RTE does not say.

They are making the cut back so as €10 million can be saved from the health budget, the result will be the death of 52 young woman from cervical cancer.

As for McDaid, it was a publicity stunt that's all he'll get in the news, but by not voting with the opposition he is supporting the deaths of woman.

Also just a footnote, Barry Andrews AKA the minister for children, said that this "was not an issue for children." Which is in keeping with his constituency colleague Hanafin who recently said "unfortunately are people are living older."

This government are intent in killing the young and the old in order to save money.

As Dr. James Reilly TD said that the €50 million wasted on E-voting machines would have paid for this scheme over the next 5 years.

This government is a disgrace and all those who support them should be ashamed of themselves tonight, because they have just sentenced 52 young woman to a long and painful death. Shame on you!