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Ireland’s election result is no stepping stone to abortion rights. It’s a roadblock Ireland’s election result is no stepping stone to abortion rights. It’s a roadblock
(6 months later)
Something has shifted in Ireland’s attitude to abortion. I see it in the opinions my friends express online, in conversations with my loved ones, even the timbre of the comments below pro-choice articles. This is borne out by empirical evidence too. Last July, an Amnesty poll found that 81% of Irish people favour more liberal abortion legislation; in October, an Irish Times poll found that 68% of people want a referendum on the eighth amendment, which enshrines the equal right to life of women and the unborn; and, just days ago, a second Amnesty poll found that 87% of people want access to abortion expanded, while 69% believe it should be a priority for the next government.Something has shifted in Ireland’s attitude to abortion. I see it in the opinions my friends express online, in conversations with my loved ones, even the timbre of the comments below pro-choice articles. This is borne out by empirical evidence too. Last July, an Amnesty poll found that 81% of Irish people favour more liberal abortion legislation; in October, an Irish Times poll found that 68% of people want a referendum on the eighth amendment, which enshrines the equal right to life of women and the unborn; and, just days ago, a second Amnesty poll found that 87% of people want access to abortion expanded, while 69% believe it should be a priority for the next government.
Legislation introduced in 2013 stipulates that the unborn’s right to life begins at implantation. To change the constitution, we need a referendum. Until we get one, the misogynistic ideology that a clump of differentiating cells holds moral parity with a woman remains the law of the land.Legislation introduced in 2013 stipulates that the unborn’s right to life begins at implantation. To change the constitution, we need a referendum. Until we get one, the misogynistic ideology that a clump of differentiating cells holds moral parity with a woman remains the law of the land.
Over the last year, feminists in Ireland have been campaigning passionately for an abortion referendum, tapping into the progressive political current that carried Ireland’s marriage equality referendum to triumph in May 2015.Over the last year, feminists in Ireland have been campaigning passionately for an abortion referendum, tapping into the progressive political current that carried Ireland’s marriage equality referendum to triumph in May 2015.
Tara Flynn, Róisín Ingle, Helen Linehan, and Susan Cahill bravely shared their abortion stories publicly. The activist group Rosa (for Reproductive rights, against Oppression, Sexism & Austerity) toured the island on an ‘abortion pill bus’, providing banned medication to those in need, risking prison sentences of up to 14 years.Tara Flynn, Róisín Ingle, Helen Linehan, and Susan Cahill bravely shared their abortion stories publicly. The activist group Rosa (for Reproductive rights, against Oppression, Sexism & Austerity) toured the island on an ‘abortion pill bus’, providing banned medication to those in need, risking prison sentences of up to 14 years.
With wicked humour, the performance group Speaking of Imelda (Speaking of Ireland Making England the Legal Destination for Abortion) served the taoiseach, Enda Kenny, a pair of bright red knickers for choice at a fundraising dinner, while the comedian Gráinne Maguire convinced us all to tweet her details of our periods.With wicked humour, the performance group Speaking of Imelda (Speaking of Ireland Making England the Legal Destination for Abortion) served the taoiseach, Enda Kenny, a pair of bright red knickers for choice at a fundraising dinner, while the comedian Gráinne Maguire convinced us all to tweet her details of our periods.
The annual march for choice is growing each year, and new pro-choice groups are popping up in every county.The annual march for choice is growing each year, and new pro-choice groups are popping up in every county.
But the messy result of the recent general election does not bode well for women. Ireland’s two biggest political parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, are both socially conservative – quite ideologically similar to each other. It is joked that the only marked difference between them is the side their forebears took in the Irish civil war. While Fianna Fáil dominated 20th-century Irish politics, often governing with clear majorities, since 1989 election results have meant coalitions between Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael and smaller parties.But the messy result of the recent general election does not bode well for women. Ireland’s two biggest political parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, are both socially conservative – quite ideologically similar to each other. It is joked that the only marked difference between them is the side their forebears took in the Irish civil war. While Fianna Fáil dominated 20th-century Irish politics, often governing with clear majorities, since 1989 election results have meant coalitions between Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael and smaller parties.
Related: Should you 'come out' about your abortion?
This time, not only does neither party have enough for a majority, but it is near impossible to see any combination of partners that either could woo into a coalition.This time, not only does neither party have enough for a majority, but it is near impossible to see any combination of partners that either could woo into a coalition.
The most viable solution is for them to go into government together. While the parties are reluctant to do this – each wants to be alpha dog – the only alternative is to send the electorate back to the polls, which a flock of newly elected Teachta Dálas, warm on their perches, is unlikely to want. Thus ends the politics of the Irish civil war.The most viable solution is for them to go into government together. While the parties are reluctant to do this – each wants to be alpha dog – the only alternative is to send the electorate back to the polls, which a flock of newly elected Teachta Dálas, warm on their perches, is unlikely to want. Thus ends the politics of the Irish civil war.
In the long term, there could be advantages to a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael (Fine Fáil?) coalition – it could galvanise the left, offering a meaningful alternative to conservatism for the first time; it might stop the Irish electorate punishing smaller parties for the sins of the big boys, as they have been wont to do.In the long term, there could be advantages to a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael (Fine Fáil?) coalition – it could galvanise the left, offering a meaningful alternative to conservatism for the first time; it might stop the Irish electorate punishing smaller parties for the sins of the big boys, as they have been wont to do.
However, for the 12 Irish women a day who must make their way to the UK for abortions, who in some cases must fly home bleeding and dizzy, this is a disaster.However, for the 12 Irish women a day who must make their way to the UK for abortions, who in some cases must fly home bleeding and dizzy, this is a disaster.
According to the whichcandidate.ie election site, of the 44 elected Fianna Fáil TDs, only two – Lisa Chambers and Jim O’Callaghan – favour expanding access to abortion; of 50 Fine Gael TDs, only Kate O’Connell and Paschal Donohoe favour more liberal laws.According to the whichcandidate.ie election site, of the 44 elected Fianna Fáil TDs, only two – Lisa Chambers and Jim O’Callaghan – favour expanding access to abortion; of 50 Fine Gael TDs, only Kate O’Connell and Paschal Donohoe favour more liberal laws.
To put those figures in context: while 87% of the general population favour expanding access to abortion, only 4.5% of Fianna Fáil TDs and 4% of Fine Gael TDs do.To put those figures in context: while 87% of the general population favour expanding access to abortion, only 4.5% of Fianna Fáil TDs and 4% of Fine Gael TDs do.
The Irish Times columnist Una Mullally has convincingly argued that this election should not be seen as a victory for the anti-abortion lobby. She points out that those who specifically positioned themselves as “pro-life”, such as the fledgling Renua party, failed outright. Mullally reminds us that social justice issues have never been to the fore of Irish government agendas – it’s up to us to put them there.The Irish Times columnist Una Mullally has convincingly argued that this election should not be seen as a victory for the anti-abortion lobby. She points out that those who specifically positioned themselves as “pro-life”, such as the fledgling Renua party, failed outright. Mullally reminds us that social justice issues have never been to the fore of Irish government agendas – it’s up to us to put them there.
I agree that the campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment isn’t going to lie down under a conservative coalition. I too believe that we can put a referendum on this government’s agenda. But if our referendum is begrudged to us by overwhelmingly anti-choice politicians, are these really the people we want to preside over it?I agree that the campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment isn’t going to lie down under a conservative coalition. I too believe that we can put a referendum on this government’s agenda. But if our referendum is begrudged to us by overwhelmingly anti-choice politicians, are these really the people we want to preside over it?
Leo Varadkar, minister for health under the outgoing government, regarded by many as a future Fine Gael leader, has publicly stated that while the current legislation may be too restrictive, he wants to keep a “pro-life” amendment in the constitution.Leo Varadkar, minister for health under the outgoing government, regarded by many as a future Fine Gael leader, has publicly stated that while the current legislation may be too restrictive, he wants to keep a “pro-life” amendment in the constitution.
After all our work, can Ireland’s feminist movement risk letting Fine Fáil scheme to replace the eighth with another constitutional amendment? To offer – masquerading as middle ground – not the opportunity to repeal the eighth but to amend it? This would not be a stepping stone to abortion rights, but a roadblock. To change the constitution, we would need another referendum. And the next generation of feminists and women will be back to where we are now – begging blithe governments for a say over what happens to their bodies.After all our work, can Ireland’s feminist movement risk letting Fine Fáil scheme to replace the eighth with another constitutional amendment? To offer – masquerading as middle ground – not the opportunity to repeal the eighth but to amend it? This would not be a stepping stone to abortion rights, but a roadblock. To change the constitution, we would need another referendum. And the next generation of feminists and women will be back to where we are now – begging blithe governments for a say over what happens to their bodies.