Referendum on Eighth moves closer

The Cabinet will meet today to consider legislation allowing for a referendum on the Eighth Amendment.

Ministers will receive legal opinion from Attorney General Seamus Woulfeon the Supreme Court ruling regarding the Constitutional rights of the unborn.

Mr Woulfe’s advice will help the Cabinet decide the wording of the question to be put to the people. The wording is expected to be the same as the draft wording considered earlier this month.

Voters will be asked to repeal the Eighth Amendment, and provision may be made by law for termination of pregnancy.

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The political debate on the Eighth Amendment had stalled as the Government awaited the decision of the Supreme Court.

Now it is all systems go. Cabinet meets today, and then the Dail may consider the referendum Bill as early as this evening.

The Government is insisting it can still meet its self-imposed deadline of a referendum at the end of May, but there are plenty of hurdles that may trip it up along the way.

This Bill will not pass easily through the Dail and the Seanad. Every member will want to speak on this matter. Those opposed to change may seek to delay its passage, and the Government cannot guillotine the debate.

What is clear is that this week marks the beginning of the referendum campaign. The question will be known today, and the Government’s legislative plans will be known tomorrow.

The Referendum Commission will be established, and the battle will begin.

Government seeks to focus on repeal

From the Government’s perspective, there is a clear attempt to focus this referendum campaign solely on the question of repeal, rather than what could replace the Eighth Amendment in law.

Recent comments from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris demonstrate a clear strategy.

Yesterday, Mr Harris said: “If you believe that it is wrong that a woman who is brutally raped has to carry a pregnancy to full term, you have to repeal the Eighth. If you believe it is wrong that a woman who has a fatal foetal abnormality in her pregnancy finds herself having to travel to Britain and bring back her baby’s remains home in the boot of her car, you have to repeal the Eighth.

“If you believe it is wrong that women from every county in this country, on a daily basis, travel abroad to access terminations you have to repeal the Eighth. If you believe it is wrong that women, our sisters, our daughters, our mothers, wives, neighbours, work colleagues access abortion pills without medical supervision is wrong you have to repeal the Eighth.”

The Cabinet is united on repealing the Eighth Amendment. However, the divisions will arise when they seek a consensus on the legislation that follows.

Focusing on repeal is the strategy the Government intends to pursue, but it is unlikely to be a successful pursuit.

Those opposed to change will seek to focus the debate on politicians and the question of trust.

The anti-abortion side will highlight the Government’s inability to ensure the legislation it proposes will be the final product.