REPEAL THE 8TH: WE ASK LOCAL POLITICIANS WHERE THEY STAND

With the referendum on the repeal of the 8th Amendment due to take place on May 25, we asked all Wexford’s councillors and Dáil deputies whether they were for or against it. But, with the exact wording of the referendum and the laws that will be brought in if it is repealed still to be decided, many of the Wexford local authority members and TDs asked for their views said they remained undecided on the issue until there was more clarity.

CLLR DAVID HYNES, NON PARTY WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘I agree that there is a need for change but I would not be comfortable with the idea of abortion on demand up to 12 weeks. Morally, I would have a problem with that. It’s a difficult one, to be honest. What are we going to replace it with? I don’t think as it stands, we have enough information to make an informed judgement.’

CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY, FF ENNISCORTHY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I suppose I’m a bit conflicted at the moment. I think a lot of how I will vote will depend on the wording of it. I’ll have to see exactly what way it will be worded before I make a decision either way. I just hope that people show some respect for each other and that it doesn’t turn nasty.’

CLLR GEORGE LAWLOR, LABOUR WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘I fully support the repeal of the 8th - it’s long overdue. We need to deal with this ourselves as opposed to exporting it instead of seeing a situation where young people are using abortion pills unregulated and in an unsafe manner.’

CLLR KEITH DOYLE, FIANNA FAIL ENNISCORTHY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I wouldn’t want to tell anyone what to do in relation to this. I’m not going to tell women how to vote on an issue that’s so sensitive, private and important. I’m not going to be one of the people campaigning or canvassing either way, but I don’t want to see any more women dying in the hospital because doctors can’t do anything for them.’

CLLR JIM MOORE, FINE GAEL MAYOR, WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘I support repealing the 8th but I’d like to see what legislation is going to follow from that because it will have implications for other parts of the Constitution. I think that is what the debate will be about. It’s a very complex area but there’s no point in codding ourselves thinking the current legislation suits our modern society.’

CLLR LISA MCDONALD, FIANNA FAIL WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘As a mother of two, I am pro-life but in view of the experience visited on many Irish women and teenagers over the past number of years, it is quite clear that the 8th amendment is throwing up traumatic cases and anomalies which have no place in a modern democracy. Therefore, the 8th Amendment needs to be repealed.’

CLLR PADDY KAVANAGH, FINE GAEL ENNISCORTHY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I think it’s a matter for everyone to make up their own mind. I haven’t decided myself to be honest. I’m very open and I will listen to the pros and cons for either side, but when I go into the ballot box, my vote will be kept to myself. Everyone has their own point of view and I think a bit of respect for opposing points of view is called for on this one.’

CLLR GER CARTHY, NON PARTY WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘I don’t and won’t support abortion on demand. I don’t know yet whether I will support the repeal of the 8th amendment yet, because we won’t have all the details for another few weeks.’

CLLR MICK ROCHE, SINN FEIN WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘Sinn Fein will be campaigning to repeal the amendment. We believe the current situation in our 81-year-old constitution requires reform. At present a woman can only have an abortion if she is otherwise going to die. This is contrary to protecting and respecting the life and health of women.’

CLLR KATHLEEN CODD-NOLAN, FG ENNISCORTHY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan was unavailable.

CLLR TONY DEMPSEY, FIANNA FAIL WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘The issue is very complex and, at the moment, nobody knows what they’re voting on. Until we see the wording, we don’t know what is replacing the Eighth and that is not acceptable to me. I think we are adding to the contention by debating on what is a hypothesis – informed debate can’t take place until we see the wording.’

CLLR FRANK STAPLES, FINE GAEL WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘I do know something has to be done, but I won’t be canvassing one way or another. But we can’t have women travelling abroad for abortions and in all likelihood I will vote ‘Yes’. We can’t have the courts getting involved either and if we legislate properly that won’t happen.’

CLLR WILLIE KAVANAGH, FIANNA FAIL ENNISCORTHY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘My thinking on it is that it’s a completely personal thing. As you’ll known, Fianna Fáil has given every member an open vote on this and I’ll have to give it more consideration and see what the pros and cons are before making my mind up either way. I won’t be canvassing for either side though.’

CLLR TOM FORDE, SINN FEIN WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘I’m 100% in favour of repealing the Eighth. I was at a Pro Choice event recently and I plan to canvass with them in the coming months. I think it’s long overdue. It is one of those issues that divides people but from my point of view I see it as a key principle of human rights and women’s rights.’

CLLR MICK WALSH, PBP ALLIANCE WEXFORD BOROUGH DISTRICT

‘I am supporting repealing the 8th for the legal aspect of things. It’s a choice issue and I think we should open up the debate. I would love to see Ireland have a very mature approach and set a model for abortion, a leading model for the world. We need to deal with it.’

CLLR JOHNNY MYTHEN, ENNISCORTHY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘In Sinn Féin we have taken the position that we are in favour of repealing the eighth. It’s an outdated, 81 year-old constitution. It comes from a time when, being honest about it, women were treated like second-class citizens. The eighth amendment is contrary to respecting the life and health of women.’

MINISTER PAUL KEHOE, FINE GAEL

‘At the moment I’m neither for nor against it. I’m waiting for the legislation to come out and I’ll consider my position then. I want to talk to some people before I decide. I expect we will see a draft of the legislation by the third or fourth week of February.’

CLLR JOHN O’ROURKE, NON PARTY ENNISCORTHY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘They haven’t come through with a definitive clarification as to what exactly we’ll be making a decision on; nor established at what point or within what timeline an abortion can actually been classed as an abortion. Until they get these gray areas closed and we know the exact wording, I wouldn’t like to say one way or another.’

CLLR LARRY O’BRIEN, FINE GAEL NEW ROSS MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I haven’t made up my mind. I think it’s a personal decision, even though I’m a public representative. I will be discussing it with my wife and my family.’

CLLR ANTHONY DONOGHUE, FINE GAEL GOREY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I am not in a position to legislate. My opinion is my own opinion. I will be keeping my opinion to myself. It is a personal decision and people need to sit down and think about it. There is a problem out there and it does need to be resolved. It is a personal choice for everyone.’

JAMES BROWNE TD, FIANNA FAIL

‘I will vote in favour of the referendum being held as the people should have their say, but I am opposed to unconditional repeal as it goes too far and putting the matter exclusively in the hands of the Oireachtas creates too many unknowns. It’s important to point out that in the referendum TDs will only have one vote, the same as everyone else.

CLLR OLIVER WALSH, FINE GAEL ENNISCORTHY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I strongly believe that it’s a personal thing and it’s up to everyone to make up their own mind on it. There’s enough information out there for everyone to make up their own mind and I won’t be campaigning for a vote one way or the other.’

CLLR OISÍN O’CONNELL, SINN FEIN NEW ROSS MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I understand rational arguments allowing the life and personhood of a woman to pre-empt carrying the unborn in defined, exceptional circumstances. However, unless there is a legislative process and philosophy, that safeguards an inherently non-arbitrary, non-subjective value of the unborn, I will not vote to repeal the 8th.’

CLLR PIP BREEN, FIANNA FAIL GOREY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I am going to vote no, because they need to go back to the drawing boards and think about it. What is proposed at the moment will only lead to a more liberal abortion agenda than that in the UK. I don’t think we should have abortion on demand, but I do feel very sympathetic for those with foetal abnormalities or with the case of a rape.’

MICK WALLACE TD, INDEPENDENTS 4 CHANGE Deputy Mick Wallace declined the offer to make a contribution to this feature. CLLR WILLIE FITZHARRIS, FINE GAEL NEW ROSS MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I would be anti abortion but I think that women have to be equal and to be equal they have to be free to make a choice. The state should put the resources in place for women who find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy. I will be voting Yes as I feel aggrieved that we’ve been exporting our problems.’

CLLR MICHAEL SHEEHAN, FIANNA FAIL NEW ROSS MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I am instinctively pro-life. I really want to see the final wording on it. I certainly would not accept the 12 week limit.’

CLLR MALCOLM BYRNE, FIANNA FAIL GOREY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I believe the current provision is too restrictive and needs reform but I don’t want to see abortion on demand. We do need to address the issues of fatal foetal abnormalities, rape and incest. I am strongly opposed to disability being a ground for abortion. I want to consider the question and legislation when they are finally presented before deciding.’

BRENDAN HOWLIN TD, LABOUR

‘The Constitution is not the place to deal with an issue as complicated as abortion. The Labour Party will campaign for change with vigour but with respect. This is a question of social policy which is of supreme importance to thousands of our citizens as families and individual women try to make the best possible decision for themselves and their loved ones.’

CLLR JOHN FLEMING, FIANNA FAIL NEW ROSS MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

Cllr John Fleming could not be contacted.

CLLR MICHAEL WHELAN, FIANNA FAIL NEW ROSS MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I have concerns about giving legislators the power to make our abortion laws, but I do think we need to have a referendum on the issue.’

CLLR MARY FARRELL, NON PARTY GOREY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘The Government is giving the people of this country the opportunity to express their views on repealing Article 40.3.3. I hope that everybody will take the opportunity to express their wishes by exercising their right to vote. As a democracy we accept the views of the majority no matter how strongly we agree or disagree. I urge everyone to vote.’

CLLR ANTHONY CONNICK, NON PARTY NEW ROSS MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I haven’t really decided yet. I want to sit down with my partner and discuss it. The idea of up to 12 weeks, where a child is sucking his or her thumb; there is no right or wrong answer. I have to weigh up the options.’

CLLR JOHN HEGARTY, FINE GAEL GOREY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘This is an incredibly sensitive issue and is one where people should use their own moral compass when voting. Wexford County Council will have no role in legislating on abortion so in reality, the views of individual councillors are irrelevant to any discussion. I will be voting according to my own beliefs.’

CLLR ROBERT IRETON, LABOUR GOREY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT MICHAEL D’ARCY TD, FINE GAEL

‘I’m waiting until I see what the legislation is and at that stage I will be able to make a fully informed decision. I will take a for or against position and outline to my constituents why I am taking that position. I think that as a public representative people will be interested in my view. However I don’t intend on campaigning for one side or the other.’ ‘I agree with it to a certain degree but this thing of 12 weeks is too long. The baby would be too developed at that stage. I think anything to help stop people travelling to England as it is a horrific situation. I feel women only should be allowed to vote, not men. A proper support needs to be put in place.’

CLLR MARTIN MURPHY, NON PARTY NEW ROSS MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘I am reserving my position until I see the wording. As in life itself it would be wrong to comment. There is a good bit to go (before the referendum). The top people have taken up positions for political reasons.’

CLLR JOE SULLIVAN, FIANNA FAIL GOREY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘It’s a very complex and emotive issue. Legislating for it will be extremely difficult. My own personal view on the matter is that I dont believe that I have a right to decide whether someone, either the mother or the child, should live or die. With the arguments I have heard, I will be voting no. I believe abortion at 12 weeks is too far.’

CLLR FIONNTÁN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN, SF GOREY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

‘Sinn Féin is actively campaigning for a yes vote. Recalling tragic cases such as that of Savita Halappanavar we can see the need for the availability of abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and in the cases rape or sexual abuse. The eighth amendment needs to be replaced with compassion so that we can put women first.’