Country heading to a crossroads as divisive issue still to be settled
ASENSE of trepidation filled the corridors of Leinster House this week. Why? Because the issue of abortion has raised its head once again – and this time it cannot be ignored.
Leinster House is a strange place.
It’s a bubble made up of people, most of whom are solely focused on being re-elected next time around.
But if there’s one thing politicians hate, it’s dealing with an issue of conscience.
Cabinet ministers, TDs and senior political advisers all told last night of their concerns about the campaign ahead.
Even within the political parties, views on the abortion issue are split.
Take Fine Gael for example: the party lost some of its brightest stars over the abortion issue, Lucinda Creighton being the best example.
The decision by Ms Creighton, Billy Timmins, Terence Flanagan, Brian Walsh and Paul Bradford left wounds.
They are wounds that remain unhealed – despite the passing of landmark legislation.
The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill was passed into law in June 2013, but there’s no guarantee the same step will be taken four years on.
Amid all the fanfare and celebrations from the pro choice TDs, we all need to take a step back.
All that has happened is an Oireachtas committee has recommended the repeal of the Eighth Amendment – almost 35 years after its insertion into the Constitution.
It has recommended a regime that would see abortions carried out up to 12 weeks.
The recommendation doesn’t go as far as what was proposed by the Citizens’ Assembly, which for many people laid bare a set of recommendations.
But those preparing for a miraculous day in May of next year would be advised to take stock.
That’s because at this point, the politicians don’t know themselves what sort of proposal to put before the people.
So where do we go from here?
The question that will appear on the ballot paper will be simple and along the lines of: ‘Do you wish to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution and replace it with appropriate legislation?’
Health Minister Simon Harris has been working closely with Attorney General Seamus Woulfe to develop the legislation in the event of all outcomes.
However, the Government is not in a position to publish the legislation in full – otherwise it will be accused of coming down on one side.
The big difficulty is whether the country’s politicians can unite and give the people a say on arguably the most pressing issue of a generation.
I have spoken to senior figures in Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, and all concur that the prospect of repealing the Eighth Amendment is far from certain.
It’s worth repeating: the referendum question will not deal with a period of gestation. Voters will not be asked for up to what period they believe an abortion is acceptable, be it 12 weeks or 20 weeks.
That detail will be outlined in legislation that will follow, possibly weeks after the vote itself.
The sense of unknown could have a serious impact on the tone of the campaign itself.
But the pressure will be piled on TDs and senators.
Constituency offices, even homes, will be picketed.
Extensive campaign material will be sent through the post. The media too will come under massive pressure to give both sides a fair showing.
But above all, the power is in the hands of our politicians.
Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar has indicated he will allow a free vote – but he has yet to make any concrete pledge.
It’s understood up to 18 Fine Gael politicians are sceptical about a proposed repeal of the Eighth Amendment and favour a free vote.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has gone further than the Taoiseach, promising his parliamentary party members that they can vote by their conscience.
This is despite the fact the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis voted to retain the Eighth Amendment – in stark contrast to the position of the party’s front bench.
Sinn Féin has its own difficulty in that one of its own deputies, Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín, is opposed to liberalising the country’s abortion laws.
However, Sinn Féin has pledged to bring the issue of abortion to a special conference and is expected to adopt a position that the Eighth Amendment should be repealed.
At senior level across all parties, there is a consensus that the status quo has to change.
But equally, there is a clear sense that Ireland is heading towards a crossroads.
The public must have their say on this most sensitive issue.
But that option will only be availed of if our politicians have the capacity to work together.
The most important work of Dáil Éireann will happen in the weeks to come.