Oireachtas committee votes against retention of the 8th Amendment

The Oireachtas committee tasked with examining Ireland's abortion laws has voted overwhelmingly against retaining the Eight Amendment.

The decision was passed by 15 votes to three, with two Fianna Fáil TDs, James Browne and Anne Rabbitte, abstaining.

Senator Ronán Mullen, Independent TD Mattie McGrath and Fine Gael TD Peter Fitzpatrick voted against the proposal.

Speaking after the vote, Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell said: "Earlier somebody said this was a bad, bad moment. I think this a great moment for Ireland and all the people of Ireland.

"One of the members spoke of the denial of dignity for a whole section of her community. I belief they were referring to unborn children. Well, I believe that women in Ireland have been denied dignity for years and years now."

The result means the committee can now examine six options for referendum – a simple repeal, repeal with legislation, repeal and replace, and other general options.

Linda Kavanagh, spokesperson for the Abortion Rights Campaign also welcomed the decision: “We can see from today’s testimony that the best thing for the health of women and for anyone who can get pregnant in Ireland is to allow for access to abortion without restrictions as to reason.”

“The most caring thing we can do for the women of Ireland is to allow them to make decisions about their own body in a supportive health structure.”

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