Citizens’ Assembly vote ‘replace or amend’ rather than repeal the 8th
The Citizens’ Assembly have voted this afternoon to 'replace or amend' the 8th amendment rather than repeal it entirely.
In a 56 per cent majority, the assembly feel that legislation to change or replace the 8th amendment is needed.
#CitizensAssembly Ballot 2 Result: 56% of the members have voted that Article 40.3.3 should be replaced or amended
— Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) April 22, 2017
There will now be a third ballot presented to the assembly to distinguish how the article should be replaced or amended.
Two types of replacement or amendment are possible, the first option is that it should be replaced with a constitutional provision that explicitly authorises only the Oireachtas to legislate to address both termination of pregnancy and any rights of the unborn.
This provision would grant the government the exclusive power to make or amend law on these issues.
As a majority of members voted to replace/amend Art 40.3.3 Justice Laffoy will present them with draft Ballot 3
— Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) April 22, 2017
The second option decrees that the 8th amendment should be replaced or amended with a new constitutional provision that directly addresses both termination of pregnancy and any rights of the unborn.
This constitutional provision, as interpreted by the courts, would limit the law-making power of the parliament.
The voting will begin on Ballot 3 at 1.20pm, and the results can be expected at 5.20pm this evening.
