Referendum and Together for Yes
Senator Gavan praised the Health Minister’s debate performance and described his work with Together for Yes across several towns. He urged undecided voters to examine the key arguments before Friday’s referendum.
As it is the last day that we will be speaking before the referendum, I wanted to say a few words on it this morning. I will start by congratulating the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. I thought he did exceptionally well yesterday evening in the debate. There is no question but that he won the debate last night.
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I want to expand on that point. A number of us from all parties have been working with Together for Yes. It has been an inspiring experience to work with Together for Yes. We have seen young men and young women in particular coming in for the first time to politics to debate this crucial issue. Wherever I have worked with them, whether in Limerick, Dublin or Athlone, it has been very impressive. We had 60 people out in the north side of Limerick on Monday evening for a canvas. The group incorporated representatives of the Green Party, the Labour Party and the Social Democrats. There was of course a big Sinn Féin presence and there were people from no parties at all. We came together to work towards what is hoped will be a successful result on Friday.
I was particularly struck in Athlone on Friday evening. I am from Westmeath originally. My first engagement in politics was in 1983 when campaigning against this awful amendment.
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It was a difficult time. Frankly, we were isolated at the time during that campaign. I came back on Friday to see a huge crowd of people marching through Athlone demanding justice and a "Yes" vote. The extraordinary passion and integrity of that crowd struck me. Regardless of the result on Friday we have to recognise the tremendous contribution of the Together for Yes campaign. I think it is a template we can use, one hopes, to make progressive politics real in many other instances.
My last word on this topic is to call for those who are still unsure about which way to vote to look at the key fact that I learned on the committee. I suspect the Leader will agree with me. No change is possible in respect of the awful circumstances of fatal foetal abnormality, rape or incest. A 12 year old child had to travel to England in March this year to get help. No change is possible at all unless we repeal the eighth amendment. I appeal to everyone to come out and support that campaign. I hope we will get the right result on Friday.