Lucinda Creighton walked away from a high-profile government position last night, after deciding she could not - in conscience - vote along her party's lines on the proposed Abortion Bill.
“I am deeply disappointed to have to vote against the Government’s abortion Bill today" she wrote in a statement released last night. "I never wished or expected to be expelled from the Fine Gael parliamentary party. This is the party I have worked for unstintingly since I was 18 years old. I will, of course, continue to be a Fine Gael member".
Later she gave an emotional interview to journalists outside Leinster House. In it, she said she couldn't ignore the promises that Fine Gael had made in the run-up to the 2011 election.
Early success
Just 33, Lucinda Creighton was the youngest minister in government, and one of the most high-profile female TDs in a Dáil where women are sorely underrepresented. She was the youngest TD to be elected in the 2007 election - a title claimed by Simon Harris in 2011.
When she spoke to reporters last night she said she had been a member of the party since she was 18. She won her seat in Dublin South-East, and in 2011 was the second candidate to achieve the treshold (just over 100 votes behind Labour's Ruarai Quinn). She was promoted to Minister of State for European Affairs by Enda Kenny in 2011 in his new cabinet.
Much of Creighton's time in office was spent co-ordinating the Irish Presidency of the EU. However, she was also critical of other European leaders, especially in regards to their handling of the financial crisis. She once said "while the European spirit lives on, what is absent is the willingness and courage to argue, communicate and persuade people that it is still a good idea".
Creighton's stance on the abortion legislation wasn't the first time she had provoked controversy. She has also been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage - a stance that has led to 'hate mail' and online threats being sent to the former junior minisiter.
Deputy Creighton remains a TD, but will now have to move away from her prized seat on Fine Gael's front row.
Earlier this year, Creighton was the subject of an in-depth interview on BBC's HARDtalk programme:
Statement
Lucinda Creighton announced her resignation from her Junior ministry position last night, releasing a statement to the public.
“I am deeply disappointed to have to vote against the Government’s abortion Bill today. I never wished or expected to be expelled from the Fine Gael parliamentary party. This is the party I have worked for unstintingly since I was 18 years old. I will, of course, continue to be a Fine Gael member.
I feel deeply and strongly that aspects of this Bill are based on flawed logic and absolutely zero medical evidence. I could not vote for it, particularly in light of Fine Gael’s clear commitment not to introduce abortion prior to the last election. Promises matter in politics, but particularly in relation to matters of life and death. This is a promise I could not renege on in any circumstances.
I believe that I have made the correct decision.
I have been honoured to serve as Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs for two years and four months and am grateful to Taoiseach Enda Kenny for his cooperation and goodwill throughout this period. As a Minister of State in the Department of an Taoiseach, we have worked closely and very fruitfully together. I believe that together, particularly during the six months of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, we have achieved much in restoring Ireland’s reputation on the European and world stages.
I wish the Taoiseach and the entire Government the very best in continuing with the difficult work of restoring economic sovereignty to Ireland. I will work hard, as a member of the 31st Dáil, to compliment that work through my ongoing and enthusiastic contribution to our Parliament.”
