In the referendum people will vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to removing Article 40.3.3 (‘the 8th Amendment’) from the Constitution and replacing it with a new text: ‘Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancies’.Read More »
Category: referendum
What will happen if the 8th Amendment is not repealed?
If the majority of the People vote ‘no’ on 25 May 2018 there will be no change in the law.Read More »
Can we reform abortion law without a referendum?
No.
The 8th Amendment limits lawful abortion to situations where the life of the pregnant person is at risk. No law can be introduced that allows abortion in other situations without constitutional change. The Constitution can only be changed by having a referendum.Read More »
What is the 8th Amendment, and why does it matter?
The ‘8th Amendment’ is the name usually given to Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution. This introduces a near absolute ban on abortion in Ireland. It allows abortion as a last resort only where a woman’s life is at risk. Because it is part of the Constitution, it is not possible for the Oireachtas to introduce a law that would allow abortion in other cases (e.g. rape, serious risk to health). Such a law would be unconstitutional and struck down by the courts. In order to reform abortion law in Ireland the 8th Amendment must be repealed. This can only be achieved by a referendum.Read More »
Why is a referendum on the 8th Amendment required?
Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution (‘the 8th Amendment’) makes it impossible for any new law to be introduced that would make abortion available in Ireland except where a woman’s life is at risk. Legal change requires constitutional change. This can only be done by a referendum. Read More »
