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Ireland to greenlight referendum on abortion law reform Ireland to hold May referendum on abortion law reform
(about 7 hours later)
Taoiseach to campaign for yes in plebiscite on abolishing eighth amendment of constitution National plebiscite on abolishing eighth amendment and allowing terminations up to 12 weeks
Henry McDonald Ireland correspondentHenry McDonald Ireland correspondent
Mon 29 Jan 2018 13.25 GMTMon 29 Jan 2018 13.25 GMT
First published on Mon 29 Jan 2018 10.29 GMTFirst published on Mon 29 Jan 2018 10.29 GMT
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Ireland’s government is to give the go-ahead for a referendum on reforming the country’s strict anti-abortion laws. Ireland will hold a referendum in May on reforming the country’s strict anti-abortion laws, according to the country’s health minister.
The Fine Gael-led administration is meeting on Monday to discuss the terms of the referendum to abolish the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution. Simon Harris confirmed on Monday that the national plebiscite will also allow for the Irish parliament to later devise legislation that would permit abortion in Ireland’s hospitals for women who are up to 12 weeks pregnant.
The proposed national plebiscite will also allow for the Irish parliament to later devise legislation that would permit abortion in Ireland’s hospitals at up to 12 weeks. The Fine Gael-led administration met to discuss the terms of the referendum to abolish the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution.
The eighth amendment was added to the republic’s constitution following a referendum in 1983. It recognises the equal right to life of a foetus and the mother during pregnancy and in effect bans abortion in almost all circumstances.The eighth amendment was added to the republic’s constitution following a referendum in 1983. It recognises the equal right to life of a foetus and the mother during pregnancy and in effect bans abortion in almost all circumstances.
Pro-choice campaigners say the amendment creates a legal “chill factor” in the health system, even in cases where Irish law allows for a ­termination, such as when a pregnancy would result in the mother’s death. Pro-choice campaigners say the amendment creates a legal “chill factor” in the health system, even in cases where Irish law allows for a termination, such as when a pregnancy would result in the mother’s death.
Ireland’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, confirmed on Saturday that he will campaign for a yes vote. Varadkar is expected to repeat that position at the cabinet meeting, which will be attended by both his Fine Gael ministerial colleagues and ministers from a bloc of independent MPs whose votes shore up the ruling minority coalition. They say the eighth amendment generates fears that physicians could be prosecuted and sent to prison if they carry out terminations even in extreme cases such as when women are suicidal or are made pregnant through sexual violence.
Varadkar is also expected to brief opposition parties on the terms of the referendum, which will be drawn up by the country’s attorney general, Séamus Woulfe. Ahead of the meeting Harris said it was a “very key and significant day” in the country’s history.
Varadkar told the BBC on Saturday that he would campaign for a change in the law, drawing criticism from the former Fianna Fáil minister Willie O’Dea, who said it was “astonishing” that the taoiseach had told “foreign journalists” about his position before the parliament or the Irish people. He said it was his preference to hold the vote in May.
Harris said: “I will ask government to agree to the approach to take with the wording of the referendum and obviously the government will hear from the Attorney General.”
Confirming that powers would be granted through a yes vote to allow the Irish parliament to draw up laws allowing for abortions at up to 12 weeks, Harris added: “I will also ask permission to go ahead with the draft legislation we would put in place should the people of Ireland vote yes and I will be asking government to come to an agreed approach to that legislation.”
Ireland’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, confirmed at the weekend that he will campaign for a yes vote. Varadkar is expected to repeat that position at the cabinet meeting, which will be attended by both his Fine Gael ministerial colleagues and ministers from a bloc of independent MPs whose votes shore up the ruling minority coalition.
Varadkar’s own party is split over what is arguably the most contentious issue in Irish politics.Varadkar’s own party is split over what is arguably the most contentious issue in Irish politics.
Eighteen Fine Gael MPs are openly in favour of a yes vote, four have come out to oppose change, and 28 are undeclared.Eighteen Fine Gael MPs are openly in favour of a yes vote, four have come out to oppose change, and 28 are undeclared.
The main opposition party, Fianna Fail, is also split on the issue although its leader Micheal Martin has come in favour of a yes vote.
Pro-choice campaign group The Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment said they hoped Monday’s announcement would include holding the referendum in May.Pro-choice campaign group The Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment said they hoped Monday’s announcement would include holding the referendum in May.
Veteran abortion rights campaigner Ailbhe Smyth, the Coalition’s chairperson, said May was the preferred date as Ireland’s students were still in the country at that time.Veteran abortion rights campaigner Ailbhe Smyth, the Coalition’s chairperson, said May was the preferred date as Ireland’s students were still in the country at that time.
“Come June and the broad mass of Irish students are on their way to other parts of the world such as the United States to work over the summer to pay for their studies.
“We have told the government it makes sense to hold the referendum in May as the students will still be in Ireland. And it’s only fair to have it then because this issue affects them more than most.”“We have told the government it makes sense to hold the referendum in May as the students will still be in Ireland. And it’s only fair to have it then because this issue affects them more than most.”
In a pastoral letter to churches on Sunday the bishop of Elphin, Dr Kevin Doran, claimed that abolition of the eighth and introduction of abortion in Irish hospitals would pave the way for euthanasia in Ireland.In a pastoral letter to churches on Sunday the bishop of Elphin, Dr Kevin Doran, claimed that abolition of the eighth and introduction of abortion in Irish hospitals would pave the way for euthanasia in Ireland.
“I am convinced that if we concede any ground on abortion, the very same arguments which are now being used to justify abortion will be used to justify ending the lives of frail, elderly people and people with significant disability,” Doran said.
There were clear signs from the latest opinion poll on the abortion question that voters may be as divided as the main political parties. A Red C poll published in the Sunday Business Post found that while 60% favoured repealing the eighth amendment, that figure dropped to 51% when repeal was coupled with the introduction of abortions for up to 12 weeks.There were clear signs from the latest opinion poll on the abortion question that voters may be as divided as the main political parties. A Red C poll published in the Sunday Business Post found that while 60% favoured repealing the eighth amendment, that figure dropped to 51% when repeal was coupled with the introduction of abortions for up to 12 weeks.
IrelandIreland
AbortionAbortion
EuropeEurope
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