Varadkar doubts public would support abortion recommendations

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he does not believe the country would support the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on the issue of abortion.

Mr Varadkar, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney were questioned at the Fine Gael think-in on Friday on their views on the body's proposals, which include access to terminations with no restriction on reasons.

The three Government Ministers insisted there was a need for a respectful and thorough debate on the issue of abortion.

However, each stressed their belief that the recommendations would not receive the support of the majority of the public.

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Mr Varadkar said: “I honestly don’t know if the public would go as far as what the Citizens’ Assembly have recommended.

“Public opinion polls have indicated that they wouldn’t, but that may change during the course of the debate, and having observed the Citizens’ Assembly and how that debate evolved, we have become aware of the availability of abortion pills and how they work.

“It is actually quite possible that people’s views may change as we have the debate.”

First public meeting

The Oireachtas committee examining the eighth amendment is to hold its first public meeting next week with the chair of the assembly Mary Laffoy.

The 21-member committee is being asked to assess each of the proposals made by the assembly.

Fine Gael TDs will have a free vote on the committee and in the Dáil and Seanad on the recommendations that arise from their deliberations.

Mr Varadkar said members would be allowed to campaign on either side of the argument if a referendum arose.

Deputy leader of Fine Gael and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said a lot of reassurance and a lot of debate would be required before the public could support specific proposals by the assembly.

Mr Coveney stressed the need for the conversation to be respectful on what were sensitive issues.

He added: “Sometimes these debates are dominated by hardline views on both sides and I think the Government has a responsibility to go through a process that can allow a much more respectful and informed debate so that we can make informed choices and put a referendum to the people to allow them to make a really serious choice for the country.”

Timescale

Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar also confirmed he is to bring a memo to Cabinet in the coming weeks to outline the timescale for a number of referendums.

While the issue of the eighth amendment will take precedence, the Taoiseach outlined his belief that a number of referendums could take place over the next 18 months.

A potential presidential election and local and European elections could be used as dates to hold votes.

He cited a vote on reducing the divorce term from four years to two years as one of the issues that could take place.