Taoiseach is correct to hold fire on Eighth

IT now looks likely the Government not only will repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, if that is what the electorate decides, but also insert a new clause expressly allowing it to legislate for abortion, in order to head off any potential future legal challenges.

In the meantime, the debate goes on and, if this week was anything to go by, we might just get to the voting booth after civilised and measured argument. The Dáil was unusually respectful of all views this week, from the likes of Fine Gael’s John Paul Phelan and Independent Michael Healy Rae, who spoke passionately against changing the Constitution, to Sinn Féin’s Jonathan O’Brien and, especially, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who outlined how their own views had evolved and changed after reading and considering in full the testimony placed before the Oireachtas committee.

Mr Martin’s unqualified support for change was a brave move, given that Fianna Fáil’s stance on abortion has not wavered over the years. It is the party most aligned with the pro-life lobby, which makes his shift all the more seismic.

That he did so after reading in full what the committee heard and debated is a lesson to all. No matter what side you agree with, it is important voters educate themselves on the full breadth of the issue and on the consequences of leaving the amendment in place, or of removing it.

With Mr Martin’s views now public, there is added pressure on the Taoiseach to show his hand. He should resist such a kneejerk reaction. As he has said, he is waiting to finalise what the wording on any enabling legislation actually will be. If we have learned anything from the debate so far, it is that waiting, considering, informing and deciding is a process not a soundbite. After such a mature week for Irish politics, that seems an admirable way for Mr Varadkar to proceed.