A momentous decision took place in the Dáil last night.
A Referendum to alter abortion laws in Ireland will take place in late may - the Government has confirmed.
The Cabinet was in agreement that the Referendum Bill should include wording to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
As well as re-wording the Constitution to enable the Oireachtas to legislate on the matter.
The yes/no vote will ask the public if they want to retain the Amendment or have it repealed - which would give the Oireachtas the power to set abortion laws.
Taoiseach Leo Vardkar said that he would be advocating a Yes vote.
I’ll be joined by Ministers @SimonHarrisTD and @KZapponeTD shortly to speak to the media about the Cabinet’s discussions on the 8th amendment this evening. You can watch it here: https://t.co/RXKcvmOn03
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) January 29, 2018
Speaking on the matter, the Taoiseach said: “We cannot continue to export our problems and import our solutions”.
“We already have abortion in Ireland – unsafe, unregulated and unlawful. I don’t believe the Constitution is the place for making absolute statements on medical or moral issues.
“As a former Minister for Health I don’t think we can continue with a situation are risking their lives with online medicines.”
Mr Varadkar added that this would be: “a difficult decision for the Irish people to make…It’s not a black and white issue; it is grey.”
