Tyrone GAA boss Mickey Harte calls on public to vote against repealing the 8th Amendment in upcoming abortion referendum
TYRONE GAA manager Mickey Harte has called on the public to save the Eighth Amendment.
He said: “I’ve always felt people in Ireland are very good at supporting each other, looking out for the most vulnerable in society and nobody’s more vulnerable than the unborn. So I’m encouraging you to vote no to save the 8th amendment.
“The alternative kills babies and wounds the mother. You know what the right choice is.”
A LoveBoth spokesperson said: “We are delighted that Mickey Harte has decided to speak up in favour of the Eighth Amendment at this critical time. “Mickey is known as someone who champions the values of community spirit and encourages every member of society to reach their potential, whatever that may be.
“His is a welcome voice for those who want to see everyone in Ireland receive the same high standard of protection under the law, regardless of their age, ability or social standing.”
It was confirmed yesterday (March 28th) that Irish citizens will be asked whether they want to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the constitution – a provision which makes abortion illegal in all but exceptional circumstances – and replace it with wording that hands responsibility for setting the country’s abortion laws to politicians, allowing for widespread abortion for any reason, and up to birth on vague health grounds.
If the public vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment, the Government intends to table legislation that would permit women to abort within 12 weeks of pregnancy. Mr Harris outlined details of that legislation to cabinet colleagues in Government Buildings on Wednesday.
“I have set out a very detailed and ambitious and demanding timetable that we would facilitate a referendum by the end of May and I am pleased to say that is firmly on track,” he said outside Government Buildings.
Ahead of the meeting, Tánaiste Simon Coveney proposed that if new laws come into being, any subsequent change to that legislation would need a two thirds majority in the Dáil parliament.