Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe
Further to yesterday evening’s publication of the new Programme for Government.
Newly appointed Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe discussed the document with presenter Cathal MacCoille on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
In relation to abortion, the Programme for Government states:
We will establish a Citizens’ Assembly, within six months, and without participation by politicians, and with a mandate to look at a limited number of key issues over an extended time period. These issues will not be limited to those directly pertaining to the constitution and may include issues such as, for example how we, as a nation, best respond to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population.
That said, we will ask the Citizens’ Assembly to make recommendations to the Dáil on further constitutional changes, including on the Eighth Amendment, on fixed term parliaments and on the manner in which referenda are held (e.g. should ‘super referendum days’, whereby a significant number of referenda take place on the same day, be held).
None of this, of course, subverts the right, and the ability of an elected member of Dáil Eireann to have a referendum on any issue, provided that member can secure majority support in parliament.
Mr MacCoille raised this with the Fine Gael TD.
Paschal Donohoe: “The Fine Gael position on that [repealing the 8th amendment] during the general election continues to be the case. We are committed to putting in place the same process that we did in relation to marriage equality that led to a referendum there. So what we will set up will be a Citizens’ Assembly to deliberate on the matter that will then lead to proposals that the Oireachtas would then consider and vote upon.”
Cathal MacCoille: “Or not. There might be no referendum?”
Donohoe: “My expectation is that there will be one and the process that we have put in place is designed to look at, what is a sensitive matter for many, in a careful way but that continues to be a commitment of this Government.”
In response to Mr Donohoe’s comments, Irish Council for Civil Liberties executive director Mark Kelly says:
“Minister Donohoe’s announcement this morning would appear to be another direct outworking of Ireland’s appearance before the UN Human Rights Council yesterday, at which its restrictive abortion regime was harshly criticised.”
“The Convention on the Constitution model proved to be a highly-effective means of debating sensitive matters in an intelligent and nuanced way, leading to a cross-party consensus on proposals to be put to the people.”
“The Irish Council for Civil Liberties believes that it is now incumbent upon the Government to publish its full blueprint for the new Citizen’s Assembly on Repeal of the 8th Amendment that the Tánaiste yesterday promised the United Nations would be up and running within six months.”
Listen back in full here
Rights Watchdog Calls for “Blueprint” of Repeal the 8th Assembly (ICCL)
Rollingnews
…can never take this guy seriously…all I hear is Bertie Ahern after a crash course at the speech therapist…a sort of Bertie Does Dalkey…
That’s good, isn’t it? Is that good? It seems good.
It’s a very good next step, yes.
I don’t want to be too pleased in case it gets messed up. That’s generally what happens! Fingers crossed though (not in a religious way of course haha I’ll get my coat)
I think its good, but I have to admit my first reaction was “GET ON WITH IT ALREADY”
+1
Who will carry out abortions if they’re made legal in Ireland?
For most cases, a doctor or a nurse will hand the pregnant woman a few pills, she’ll swallow them and then a couple of hours later she’ll expel the foetus.
In some cases there’ll be a medical procedure performed by a doctor and a support staff.
Just like every legal abotion that happens in Ireland today, and every legal abortion that happens in every other country.
Thanks I guess for your condescending answer.
No condesention intended, sorry if I offended you.
The 8th won’t be repealed by FG, too many Culchie votes to be lost.
As much as it kills me to says it, I think the convention is the way to go about this.
there are those who are 100% for and against, those who have grey areas and those who have yet to make up their minds.
If it takes the black and white out of it, actually allows people a say in a complex area then maybe its the space to have a conversation apart from the usual shouting slogan match from entrenched positions.
And I’m for repeal.
+1
It’s going to require the same slow and steady approach as the marriage referendum to avoid the whole thing blowing up again.
yaay anudder referendum !
Mmf
Now hope that be as clear as mud.