Ireland will hold a referendum at the end of May on liberalising the country’s abortion regime, offering voters the first opportunity in 35 years to overhaul some of the world’s strictest laws.
Voters will be asked if they wish to repeal the Eighth Amendment, which was inserted into the constitution in 1983. It enshrines the equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child, and enables parliament to set the laws.
The cabinet met for almost four hours last night and agreed to publish within weeks the legislation that could be introduced if the people of Ireland vote to repeal it. The attorney-general advised ministers that the best legal option was to allow for a “repeal and enable” process, which involves inserting a clause into the constitution stating that it is up to parliament to legislate for new abortion laws.
A complete ban on abortion was lifted in Ireland in 2013, permitting terminations in cases where the mother’s life was in danger. The debate around that change led to street protests from both sides, and a heated debate is expected in the coming months.
Two opinion polls in recent days found that 51 per cent and 56 per cent of voters would support a proposal to allow abortion up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy, with 29 per cent opposed and the rest undecided.
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Last month an all-party parliamentary committee called for terminations with no restrictions to be allowed at up to 12 weeks.
Yesterday Leo Varadkar, the prime minister, said he would support the recommendations and that his government would begin drafting legislation in line with them.
“I will advocate a yes vote,” he said. “My own views have evolved — life experience does that. On the matter of the 12 weeks, people will have to make up their own minds. In making my decision to support it I listened to the views of the public, my party, family, friends and above all women.”
He said he was confident the referendum could be held by the end of May, making Friday 25 the most likely date.
“I know this will be a difficult decision for the Irish people to make,” Mr Varadkar said. “It is a very personal and private issue and for most of us it’s not a black and white issue, it is one that is grey. If it is approved, and I believe it will be approved, it will say that as a country we have come of age.”