The talking is over... now get out and vote

NOW that the campaigns have run their course and the debates have ended, there can be no doubt whatsoever, on the dawning of this momentous day, that the citizens of Ireland have been afforded every opportunity to have their voices heard on the most portentous issue of abortion.

And despite the inherent divisiveness pertaining to this particular constitutional matter, a number of notable positives have, nonetheless, been observed amid all the activity and attrition of recent months.

By and large, what has been witnessed has been a reasonably respectful campaign. A campaign where human dignity and decency have dictated the overall tenor of the debate.

Understandably, there have been flashpoints, but, overwhelmingly, our citizens, and the spokespeople from both sides of the amendment argument have conducted themselves with an admirable level of common courtesy.

A courtesy that, as displayed, can only have a positive effect, that shows that we have learned from past errors, from the vindictive and misjudged behaviour of earlier decades, and a courtesy that reflects well on us as a people, that illustrates our newfound maturity, and that represents us as a nation of some significant stature.

Also of considerable note has been the welcome absence of political posturing. Instead, we have been privileged to behold a more considered approach, devoid of the self-serving attempts of political parties to call their members to order.

On the contrary, there has been a certain cognisance that this referendum is a deeply emotive one and that the right of individuals to voice their own deeply held views is one that can – and must – be respected.

In the wider context, we must acknowledge too that we have been well informed on the detail of the debate. Nor, indeed, can anyone claim that they were silenced, that their voices were denied an audience, for across the airwaves and on national television, countless individuals were given the opportunity to tell their stories.

The overall conduct of this important national debate now stands, therefore, as testament and credit to the Irish people. The waiting is over. It is time for the electorate to decide.

What is now of greatest import is that our citizens exercise their democratic right and cast their vote.

As we pointed out in this newspaper last Saturday, very few countries gift their citizens with such power.

We are indeed fortunate to live in a country where such key societal issues are decided by the people. It is paramount, therefore, that we uphold and respect that power by exercising, on this very day, our democratic right in relation to this generation-defining referendum.

Today, as a nation, we will vote either Yes or No. Such a deceptively simple choice, but with such profound implications for all our citizens. Today. Tomorrow. And for years to come.

Inevitably, there will be winners and losers. As a country, however, irrespective of the result, we must gather ourselves, look to the future, and move on. From the winners, we can but hope for compassion and understanding for those who have been thwarted; from the losers, an acceptance that the result is nothing more or less than what it clearly and irrevocably is – the will of the Irish people.

The greater the turnout, the more legitimate the vote. Whether Yes or No, however, the result must be acknowledged – on both sides – with tolerance, forbearance and good grace.

Today, as citizens of this republic, we have been given a great gift – the power and the opportunity to speak for ourselves. Our vote is our voice.

It is utterly imperative that we make ourselves heard.