Repeal of the Eighth Amendment
Deputy Coppinger asks whether the Government will hold a referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment. The Tánaiste says the Labour Party is examining the issue and stresses the need to consider women’s and children’s interests carefully.
I wish to ask the Tánaiste specifically about forthcoming referendums and legislation. Two referendums have been announced, one on marriage equality and the other on the age limit to stand in presidential elections. Amazingly, however, there has been no announcement on the repeal of the eighth amendment. Is this also the view of the Labour Party because in the House last week the Taoiseach stated there would not be a referendum on the eighth amendment? This is despite the horrific case over Christmas and a court case today involving a migrant rape victim where women were demeaned and used as vessels and incubators under the eighth amendment. Is it the Tánaiste's view that women should be treated in this way or will she allow a repeal of the eighth amendment which is supposed to be Labour Party policy? Will she argue for this at Cabinet level or has she also voted at the Cabinet to exclude the eighth amendment from forthcoming referendums?
Comment on this
The Deputy perhaps needs to think a little. The eight amendment - this has been on the public record for a long time - does not serve the best interests of women or the unborn child a pregnant woman may be carrying. That is my considered view and why, when the eighth amendment was put before the people, the Labour Party, as it does now, stated it was not in the best interests of women. If one looks back at the history of the times when the eighth amendment was brought forward and argued, one reason it has not served women well is that nobody will deny that it was an extremely rushed constitutional amendment. The consequence of that rush is that what was inserted into the Constitution does not serve the best interests of women in my view or that of the Labour Party. From what the Deputy has just said, she appears to wish to rush into a further situation in respect of the eighth amendment-----
Comment on this
-----without any serious consideration being given on a broad basis to what is in the best interests of women. The Deputy referred to the Labour Party, members of which are working on the issue. They are considering and examining all of the issues that arise in considering this most delicate, difficult and important issue of women having children and having them safely in a strongly supportive environment. The Deputy may wish to rush into another amendment without even looking at what the best outcomes ought to be for women, but that is not the approach of the Labour Party. Moreover, the rhetoric she is using does a disservice to women in Ireland. What we are all seeking are the best outcomes for women who are pregnant and their babies.