Pat Leahy: One way or the other, the referendum will change Irish politics

Pat Leahy: One way or the other, the referendum will change Irish politics
A Yes vote will alter the political landscape; a No vote could upend it

May 19, 2018
Pat Leahy

Next Friday’s referendum will be an enormously consequential event for Irish society. But it will also have immediate political consequences which very few of the political class appear to have thought through.

Whatever the result, it will change Irish politics. Lots of people say: but the marriage referendum didn’t change anything in politics. They’re right. It didn’t. But I think this referendum will.

Continued; https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/pat-leahy-one-way-or-the-other-the-referendum-will-change-irish-politics-1.3500411

19.05.2018

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

Ireland – Abortion up to 12 weeks needed to deal with ‘exceptional cases’ – Sinn Féin

Abortion up to 12 weeks needed to deal with ‘exceptional cases’ - Sinn Féin
Party wants legislation in place by early autumn if Eighth Amendment is repealed

April 26, 2018
Sarah Bardon

Sinn Féin has called on the Government to ensure legislation to allow for abortion in certain circumstances is introduced by early autumn, if the Eighth Amendment is removed from the Constitution.

The party formally launched its campaign to repeal Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution yesterday and insisted it would canvass in every county for a Yes vote.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-up-to-12-weeks-needed-to-deal-with-exceptional-cases-sinn-f%C3%A9in-1.3475757

Ireland – McDonald says abortion law in NI should be ‘in kilter’ with Republic

McDonald says abortion law in NI should be ‘in kilter’ with Republic
Sinn Féin launches party campaign in favour of repeal ahead of the May ‘date with destiny’

April 20, 2018
Sarah Bardon

Sinn Féin will seek to harmonise abortion laws across the country if the Eighth Amendment is removed from the Constitution.

Abortion is banned in almost all circumstances in Northern Ireland, while in the Republic it is permitted only when a mother’s life is at risk.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/mcdonald-says-abortion-law-in-ni-should-be-in-kilter-with-republic-1.3467592

Ireland – Fine Gael succeeds by keeping distance between economy and abortion

Fine Gael succeeds by keeping distance between economy and abortion
Fianna Fáil’s conservative stance on referendum question risks alienating younger voters

April 19, 2018
Damian Loscher

Today’s Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll reveals a drop in support for Fine Gael. After retreating two points in January from a high of 36 per cent in December, Fine Gael has slipped a further three points to land on 31 per cent in this poll.

For Fianna Fáil, its poll rating is moving in the right direction, albeit with a marginal gain of just one point. With 26 per cent support, it has reduced the gap and is now just five points behind Fine Gael.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/fine-gael-succeeds-by-keeping-distance-between-economy-and-abortion-1.3465985

19.04.2018

Ireland – Simon Coveney: My indecision on abortion is final (I think)

Simon Coveney: My indecision on abortion is final (I think)
Simon Coveney is suffering brickbats for changing his mind on abortion. Is this only a personal crisis, or does it reflect a split in the government, asks Stephen O’Brien

Stephen O’Brien, Political Editor
April 1 2018

The headline in the Irish Examiner confirmed that all was not well in Cork. “Coveney plan for legal lock in tatters,” the newspaper declared on Wednesday as the tanaiste, a local TD, made the news for the third day running.

“Tanaiste Simon Coveney has been left humiliated after his two-thirds Dail majority legal-lock plan for the government’s post-referendum abortion law was labelled unconstitutional, naive and deeply damaging to the ‘yes’ campaign,” the Examiner railed.

Continued: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/simon-coveney-my-indecision-on-abortion-is-final-i-think-qjxq07h2p

Ireland – Sinn Féin suspends TD who voted against party on abortion

Sinn Féin suspends TD who voted against party on abortion
Carol Nolan opposes repeal of Eighth Amendment of the Constitution

Wed, Mar 21, 2018
Sarah Bardon

Sinn Féin TD Carol Nolan has been suspended from the party for three months after defying its position on the Eighth Amendment.

Ms Nolan, a TD for Offaly-North Tipperary, voted against second stage of the Thirty Sixth Amendment to the Constitution Bill in the Dáil on Wednesday

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/sinn-f%C3%A9in-suspends-td-who-voted-against-party-on-abortion-1.3435402

21.03.2018

Ireland – Sinn Féin to hold ardfheis in June to debate its abortion policy

Sinn Féin to hold ardfheis in June to debate its abortion policy
Motion on unrestricted access to abortion in first trimester will be discussed after referendum

March 19, 2018
Harry McGee Political Correspondent

Sinn Féin’s ardfheis has been moved forward to June for a special debate on a motion to allow unrestricted access to abortion in the first trimester.

The party’s ardchomhairle agreed on Monday to a proposal from party leader Mary Lou McDonald to move the ardfheis forward from November.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/sinn-f%C3%A9in-to-hold-ardfheis-in-june-to-debate-its-abortion-policy-1.3432934

19.03.2018

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abortion on request in first trimester

abortion on request up to 12 weeks

Ireland – Sinn Féin unlikely to change position on abortion before referendum

Sinn Féin unlikely to change position on abortion before referendum
Party now opposes terminations up to 12 weeks and must hold ardfheis to propose change

March 8, 2018
Fiach Kelly Deputy Political Editor

Sinn Féin is unlikely to hold an ardfheis to update its abortion policy before the referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment is held.

The party is currently in favour of repeal and allowing for abortion in a specific set of circumstances. However, it is currently not in favour of allowing for abortion without restrictions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy - which is the policy that will be put before the Dáil if the referendum passes.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/sinn-f%C3%A9in-unlikely-to-change-position-on-abortion-before-referendum-1.3419544

Ireland: TDs who defy SF on abortion ‘will be disciplined’

TDs who defy SF on abortion 'will be disciplined'

Cormac McQuinn
February 12 2018

Sinn Féin TDs who oppose the party's position on abortion face the prospect of disciplinary action, its new leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

Two of its TDs, Peadar Tóibín and Carol Nolan, are against repealing the Eighth Amendment and legislation that would allow unrestricted abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy. While Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are allowing free votes for their TDs, Ms McDonald said Sinn Féin TDs will be expected to comply with the party's position or face disciplinary procedures.

Continued: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/abortion-referendum/tds-who-defy-sf-on-abortion-will-be-disciplined-36592544.html

12.02.2018

Ireland: Varadkar: More liberal abortion law unlikely

Varadkar: More liberal abortion law unlikely

Ellen Coyne, Senior Ireland Reporter
February 12 2018, The Times

Irish politicians would be unlikely to pass a more liberal abortion law than access up to 12 weeks of a pregnancy, Leo Varadkar said yesterday.

The taoiseach does not think politicians would be “cavalier” about passing an even more liberal law without first going through a cumbersome process and consulting with the people.

Continued; https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d-il-will-not-be-cavalier-on-abortion-law-7kshq2rpx

12.02.2018