Referendum Now

Repeal the Eighth Amendment

Do what the Citizens’ Assembly recommended

In 1983 the Eighth Amendment was added to the Irish Constitution.

It means that abortion is illegal except where there’s a substantial risk to a pregnant woman’s life. It also means abortion pills are illegal, even though many women get them online.

Almost no women of childbearing age in Ireland have ever had a vote on it, even though it directly affects their lives.

Several women have died because of the Eighth Amendment, including Savita Halappanavar.

The Eighth  must go. The government-appointed Citizens’ Assembly agrees.

In the Citizens’ Assembly, after listening to all of the arguments:

• 90% of members supported the right to abortion where there is a serious risk to the physical or mental health of the woman.
• 78% backed abortion rights if a woman’s physical health or mental health are at risk; and 72% said a distinction should not be drawn between the physical and mental health of the woman in deciding on abortion rights.
• 72% supported the right to abortion for social or economic reasons.
• 48% said no restriction on access to abortion up to 12 weeks and 44% said no restriction up to 22 weeks gestation.
• 89% supported the right to abortion if pregnancy was a result of rape; and 89% wanted that right in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.

The Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment supports the views of the Citizens Assembly.

The best way to implement the Assembly’s  recommendations is for the government to hold an immediate referendum to repeal the eighth amendment from the Constitution in order to respect and protect women’s lives, health and choices.