Ireland will hold a referendum on the eighth amendment, the government confirmed this evening. The country will vote on whether to repeal the amendment and replace it with a provision to allow the Oireachtas to legislate for abortion.
Tonight’s announcement, from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris, is a significant moment for the repeal campaign. It was made after a four-hour-long cabinet meeting in Leinster House, at which the referendum’s date and content was discussed.
While there is no exact date as of yet – a bill must pass through the Oireachtas first – the cabinet advocated for a referendum towards the end of May or early June.
Varadkar has remained quiet on his stance in the debate up until this point. When Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin declared his support for repealing the eighth last week, many turned to the Taoiseach to see how he would respond. Tonight, Varadkar said he “will advocate for a yes vote”.
“We already have abortion in Ireland but it’s unsafe unregulated and unlawful”, he said.
“We can no longer export our problems and import our solutions”, he said, expressing sympathy with the women who travel for abortions.
Also speaking at the conference, Harris said that “just because an issue is complex or sensitive, doesn’t mean it can be ignored”. Welcoming the clarity that will come with the government’s decision to hold a referendum, he said the vote will give legislators “greater constitutional certainty to the making of the law in this area”.
The Attorney General Seamus Woulfe has previously advised the government against a “repeal simpliciter” of the eighth amendment. Legal advice given to the government said that even if the provision was repealed, the personal rights of the unborn in the constitution could still prevent the legalisation of abortion. It is hoped that an enabling provision will provide greater legal certainty on the issue, and reduce the risk of a legal challenge.
Earlier this year, the government announced a general timeline for several referendums to be held throughout 2018 and 2019, including the long-awaited vote on the eighth amendment.
Many have expressed preference for a May referendum, in order to ensure students can vote.
