TDs on the No side pledge to follow will of the people
OPPONENTS of legislation that would allow abortion in Ireland up to 12 weeks said yesterday that they would not stand in the way of the proposed new law.
Rebel Fianna Fáil TDs indicated that they would respect the resounding result in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment and vote for the legislation when it is brought to the Dáil. Michael and Danny Healy-Rae – both No voters – last night told the Irish Mail on Sunday that they too would follow the will of the people.
Meanwhile, arch-abortion opponent independent TD Mattie McGrath asked that the Government work with opponents on the legislation but accepted that he would not thwart the mandate given by the referendum.
Asked about the issue, Mr McGrath told RTÉ’s Six One News: ‘I’m not going to oppose the will of the people but I am going to take part and discuss it and hope to get amendments.
‘I mean, the Taoiseach will live up to his word, that it’s going to be rare and that abortion wouldn’t be like it is in England and other countries.… I hope it
‘It wasn’t tight - it was won outright’
wouldn’t be like Hillary Clinton [and] England where it will be safe, legal and rare – and we have 50 million abortions later.’ He urged respect for ‘all sides’ and called for ‘reasonable’ discussion in the Dáil.
The Healy-Rae brothers said legislators were obliged to respect the will of the people. Their constituency, Kerry, voted in favour of repealing the amendment, with 58% voting Yes.
Speaking to the MoS last night, Michael Healy-Rae said he was surprised by the ‘resounding’ strength of the Yes vote. ‘It wasn’t tight, it wasn’t marginal. It was won outright,’ he said.
‘People in a very strong fashion have spoken and said what they want, and following on from that there will have to be legislation to comply with the wishes of the people. We live in a democracy, not in a communist country.
‘I voted No, I am not denying I voted No and I voted with my conscience. But I am respectful of people’s views and opinions.
‘Nothing should be done that would impede the will of the people being implemented in a speedy fashion, and nobody can be obstructionist.’
He said he ‘can’t talk today about what way I will vote’ when the legislation comes before the House.
Danny Healy-Rae echoed the views of his brother, saying ‘we have to acknowledge’ the vote, adding that he would wait and see ‘what we’re voting for’ before outlining whether his No would become a Yes in the Dáil.
But Save The Eighth spokesman John McGuirk issued a statement that stuck with the campaign’s antiabortion principles: ‘The Eighth Amendment did not create a right to life for the unborn child – it merely acknowledged that such a right exists, has always existed, and will always exist.
‘What Irish voters did yesterday is a tragedy of historic proportions. However, a wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it. We are proud of all of those who stood with us in this campaign – our supporters, our donors, our families, and our loved ones.
‘This campaign took a huge personal toll on all of us who were involved, and we have been grateful for their support.
‘The unborn child no longer has a right to life recognised by the Irish State. Shortly, legislation will be introduced that will allow babies to be killed in our country. We will oppose that legislation. If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the Government to keep their promise about a GP-led service, we will oppose that as well.
‘Abortion was wrong yesterday. It remains wrong today.
‘The Constitution has changed, but the facts have not.’