How the Yes and No sides won and lost the abortion referendum

How the Yes and No sides won and lost the abortion referendum

Harry McGee: Smiling Savita portraits proclaiming a new reality for Ireland
May 26, 2018

Harry McGee Political Correspondent

In the last few days of the referendum campaign on the Eight Amendment dozens of small posters appeared around Dublin.

The image was of Savita Halappanavar, instantly recognisable from her thick dark hair, wide smile, smiling eyes, and the Bindi dot on the forehead. The message contained one word: Yes. They were striking in their simplicity and directness.

The Savita case (read Kitty Holland’s report from 2012 here) was never too far away from people’s minds during the eight weeks that this extraordinary referendum campaign seeped into Irish public consciousness on doorsteps, in the streets, in the media, or on the airwaves… right up to polling day.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/how-the-yes-and-no-sides-won-and-lost-the-abortion-referendum-1.3509924

26.05.2018

Abortion Rights Campaign

Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment

National Women’s Council

Niamh Uí Bhriain

No campaign

Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment

Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act

Facebook tries to battle fake news for Ireland’s abortion referendum

IrishCentral Staff
April 23, 2018

Facebook is attempting to eliminate fake ads and provide transparency on its platform ahead of Ireland’s abortion referendum vote on May 25.

In the wake of Russian interference in the U.S. 2016 election, the social media giant is introducing a new tool that, according to CNN, will “give users more information about political advertisements and sponsored posts in their News Feeds.”

The new feature, which has already been tested in Canada, is expected to be available in Ireland on April 25, ahead of the global launch.

Continued: https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/facebook-fake-news-ireland-abortion-referendum

23.04.2018

Facebook abortion ads

Facebook and abortion referendum

Ireland – Investigation Launched After 12 Year Old Girl Travels Abroad For Abortion

Investigation Launched After 12 Year Old Girl Travels Abroad For Abortion
Fiachra Johnston
March 29, 2018

The Gardaí and the Child and Family agency Tusla, are currently investigating the case of a 12 year old girl, who reportedly travelled to the UK to receive an abortion. It is believed she was provided aid by the Abortion Support Network (ASN), with authorities notified by the clinic in question after questions about the age of the girl were raised on her arrival. First reported by the Sunday Times, ASN founder Mara Clarke stated that 52 girls under 16 used its service last year, and that at least two thirds of them were from the Republic of Ireland. As stated by the 8th Amendment to the Constitution of Ireland the termination of pregnancies is not legal within the country.

Continued: http://www.universityobserver.ie/news/investigation-launched-after-12-year-old-girl-travels-abroad-for-abortion/

Ireland – Abortion referendum: Many minds not made up

Abortion referendum: Many minds not made up
Most young, urban dwellers favour repeal, but in rural areas the ‘12 weeks issue’ is key

March 16, 2018
Harry McGee Political Correspondent

The phrase “silent majority” has fallen out of fashion in Ireland in recent times. US president Richard Nixon popularised it the 1960s, when he claimed a majority of Americans were conservative by instinct but didn’t voice their opinions publicly as did the liberal minority.

During the 1983 debate on the Eighth Amendment, the outspoken Fine Gael TD and anti-abortion campaigner Alice Glenn used the phrase to great effect.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/abortion-referendum-many-minds-not-made-up-1.3429636

Ireland – Abortion referendum: Phoney war prevails until legislation is clear

Abortion referendum: Phoney war prevails until legislation is clear
The 12-week stance and the notion of trust – coming from both sides – is crucial to debate

Mar 3, 2018
Fiach Kelly

Last November, a group of 15 to 20 people who have pressed for changes to Ireland’s abortion laws for decades sat in the headquarters of the National Women’s Council of Ireland in Smithfield to listen to a research briefing.

One of the key messages for the forthcoming campaign, according to sources, was that “some change is better than no change”, and that they must be willingness to settle for less than some of them have long wanted.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/abortion-referendum-phoney-war-prevails-until-legislation-is-clear-1.3413360

Ireland – No anti-abortion medical experts willing to argue for Eighth – Noone

No anti-abortion medical experts willing to argue for Eighth – Noone
No Irish-based consultants or GPs ‘made available to Committee on Eighth Amendment’

Feb 19, 2018
Ronan McGreevy

The chair of the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment has revealed the committee could not find a single medical expert in Ireland to argue the case for the status quo.

Senator Catherine Noone said the committee secretariat and the membership had been asked to put forward experts who would put the medical case for retaining the Eighth Amendment.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/no-anti-abortion-medical-experts-willing-to-argue-for-eighth-noone-1.3397941

Ireland: Pro-Life Campaign loses Supreme Court bid to join case on unborn

Pro-Life Campaign loses Supreme Court bid to join case on unborn
State argued that, as case concerned constitutional law, campaign could not bring extra expertise

Feb 7, 2018
Mary Carolan

The Supreme Court has refused the Pro Life Campaign’s application to be heard in the State’s forthcoming appeal concerning the extent of the constitutional rights of the unborn.

The three-judge court said the appeal concerned purely legal issues and the assistance the campaign could offer would be minimal.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/pro-life-campaign-loses-supreme-court-bid-to-join-case-on-unborn-1.3383387

07.02.2018

Irish health minister defends abortion ban referendum

Irish health minister defends abortion ban referendum

The Associated Press
Gregory Katz
January 30, 2018

LONDON — Irish women are having abortions regardless of a near-total constitutional ban on terminating pregnancies, the country’s health minister said Tuesday in defence of a planned referendum that will ask voters whether the amendment should be repealed.

Health Minister Simon Harris said on Ireland’s RTE television that he is beginning work on a proposed abortion law that would be submitted to parliament if the May referendum removes the constitutional ban. The legislation would allow abortions during the first trimester, he said.

Continued: http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/irish-health-minister-working-on-proposed-new-abortion-law

Ireland: Simon Harris set to back ‘enabling’ clause on abortion

Simon Harris set to back ‘enabling’ clause on abortion
Simon Harris is to formally seek approval for a referendum as a poll shows majority back repealing the Eighth Amendment, writes Daniel McConnell.

Saturday, January 27, 2018
By Daniel McConnell, Political Editor

Health Minister Simon Harris is likely to recommend replacing the Eighth Amendment with another clause as opposed to a simple repeal when the Cabinet meets on Monday.

The Irish Examiner understands that Mr Harris, in consultation with the Attorney General, is leaning toward the option of adding enabling legislation to affirm the right of the Oireachtas to set laws.

Continued: https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/simon-harris-set-to-back-enabling-clause-on-abortion-466365.html

Canada responds to claims that aborted babies are left to die alone

Canada responds to claims that aborted babies are left to die alone
Ellen Coyne, Senior Ireland Reporter
October 24 2017, The Times

The Canadian authorities addressed claims from anti-abortion politicians in Ireland that the country’s laws resulted in babies being left to die alone.

Statistics Canada, a state agency, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) made the comments after a group wrote to Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, expressing concern that claims about the country’s treatment of women were being made in the Oireachtas.

Continued at source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/canada-responds-to-claims-that-aborted-babies-are-left-to-die-alone-ttpjxxvqh