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Fianna Fail won't campaign on any abortion referendum

The leader of Fianna Fáil says his party would not campaign for the repeal of the eighth A...
Newstalk
Newstalk

19.54 22 Sep 2015


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Fianna Fail won't camp...

Fianna Fail won't campaign on any abortion referendum

Newstalk
Newstalk

19.54 22 Sep 2015


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The leader of Fianna Fáil says his party would not campaign for the repeal of the eighth Amendment on abortion.

Micheal Martin says his party members will have a free vote if the issue is raised - but won't bring any proposals themselves.

Pro-choice activists have called for the repeal of the amendment, which gives equal protection to the lives of a mother and her unborn child.

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Mr Martin says his party will not be actively be campaigning on the issue.

However, Mr Martin said that if the proposal is brought forward by someone else, his TDs can vote whatever way they like.

Labour has already promised to campaign for the repeal of the amendment, while Fine Gael has refused to make a commitment yet.

“We said collectively as a political party that we would not initiate moves to repeal the eighth,” he said.

“From our perspective we have freedom of conscience within the parliamentary party.”

“We’re not going to initiate a referendum to appeal it.”

The debate on repeal “would have to be very much equally about what would replace the eighth,” Mr Martin said.

He added that he believes some people”have an anticipation that if the 8th amendment was to repealed something else would have to come in its place, either via legislation or in another constitutional amendment.”


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