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Irish abortion referendum: New laws by end of the year - Irish PM | Irish abortion referendum: New laws by end of the year - Irish PM |
(35 minutes later) | |
A new abortion law will be in place by the end of year, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said. | A new abortion law will be in place by the end of year, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said. |
It follows a landslide vote in favour of repealing the Republic of Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion. | It follows a landslide vote in favour of repealing the Republic of Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion. |
The proposed legislation will allow abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and up to the 24th week in exceptional circumstances. | The proposed legislation will allow abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and up to the 24th week in exceptional circumstances. |
Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris will seek the cabinet's backing on Tuesday to draft the new legislation. | Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris will seek the cabinet's backing on Tuesday to draft the new legislation. |
Mr Varadkar said Saturday would be remembered as the day Ireland "embraced our responsibilities as citizens and as a country". | Mr Varadkar said Saturday would be remembered as the day Ireland "embraced our responsibilities as citizens and as a country". |
"The day Ireland stepped out from under the last of our shadows and into the light," he added. | "The day Ireland stepped out from under the last of our shadows and into the light," he added. |
"The day we came of age as a country. The day we took our place among the nations of the world." | "The day we came of age as a country. The day we took our place among the nations of the world." |
More than two thirds of voters backed the decision to change the law with every constituency in the Republic of Ireland, with the exception of Donegal. | More than two thirds of voters backed the decision to change the law with every constituency in the Republic of Ireland, with the exception of Donegal. |
The referendum delivered a conclusive consensus for reform among men and women, nearly all age groups and across most counties. | The referendum delivered a conclusive consensus for reform among men and women, nearly all age groups and across most counties. |
The final figures were 66.4% in favour of the change and 33.6% voting no. | The final figures were 66.4% in favour of the change and 33.6% voting no. |
The Eighth Amendment was inserted into the Irish constitution in 1983 and it gave an equal right to life to both a mother and an unborn child. | The Eighth Amendment was inserted into the Irish constitution in 1983 and it gave an equal right to life to both a mother and an unborn child. |
Thousands of Irish women travelled to the UK every year for abortions, or sourced abortion pills. | Thousands of Irish women travelled to the UK every year for abortions, or sourced abortion pills. |
Anti-abortion groups called the referendum result a ''tragedy of historic proportions'' with one saying it was already making plans to protest outside abortion clinics when they eventually open in Ireland. | Anti-abortion groups called the referendum result a ''tragedy of historic proportions'' with one saying it was already making plans to protest outside abortion clinics when they eventually open in Ireland. |
The result south of the border has shifted focus to Northern Ireland's similarly strict abortion regime, with Prime Minister Theresa May facing calls to act. | The result south of the border has shifted focus to Northern Ireland's similarly strict abortion regime, with Prime Minister Theresa May facing calls to act. |
Northern Ireland will soon become the only part of Britain and Ireland with an almost blanket ban on terminations. | Northern Ireland will soon become the only part of Britain and Ireland with an almost blanket ban on terminations. |
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has said Mrs May should take advantage of the current lack of a devolved administration and push for reform from Westminster. | |
"I believe in the principle of the right to choose - I think in the rest of the UK we have a sensible balance," said Sir Vince. | |
"The position in Northern Ireland is now highly anomalous and I think, probably, action will now have to be taken." | |
At Dublin Castle on Saturday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and her deputy Michelle O'Neill held up a sign saying "The north is next". | |
Ms O'Neill described the result as "a momentous day for the women of Ireland". |