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Carol Nolan undecided on Sinn Féin return after suspension

Carol Nolan was given a three-month suspension when she voted in the Dáil against the holding of the referendum on the Eighth Amendment
Carol Nolan was given a three-month suspension when she voted in the Dáil against the holding of the referendum on the Eighth Amendment

Sinn Féin's Carol Nolan has said she has not decided if she will return to the parliamentary party when her suspension expires at the end of June.

The Offaly TD was given a three-month suspension when she voted in the Dáil against the holding of the referendum on the Eighth Amendment.

Her party supported repealing the amendment.

Ms Nolan also confirmed that she will oppose the introduction of legislation to give effect to the referendum result.

Party Whip Aengus Ó Snodaigh has said he will speak to Ms Nolan when the suspension period comes to an end.

He said that he will discuss her options with her and that she will be a party member when the period is up, unless she does something untoward, but up to now she is only suspended from membership of the party.

Peadar Tóibín, who also opposed the party position, was not present in the Dáil for the vote and did not lose the whip.

He has not yet stated his position on the legislation.

Asked if it is unfair that Ms Nolan is suspended while Mr Tóibín is not, Mr Ó Snodaigh said Ms Nolan understood that when she cast her vote in the Dáil she would be suspended but that Mr Tóibín did not do that.

Both of them, and other party members, campaigned to save the amendment, Mr Ó Snodaigh said, but did so under strict instruction that they articulate the party position on repealing the amendment beforehand.

Separately, the Labour Party in Britain has said it is looking at legislative options to see how abortion laws in Northern Ireland could be changed.

Both Sinn Féin and the Together for Yes campaign have also called for laws in Northern Ireland to be reformed.

Downing Street has said that it is a matter for Northern Ireland.

The DUP, on whom British Prime Minister Theresa May relies for a majority in parliament, has said it would not be bullied into accepting abortion.

A protest was held over the issue in Belfast today.

Additional reporting Sorcha Ní Riada