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Minister for Health Simon Harris Sam Boal

Minister for Health wants Eighth Amendment referendum next summer

Simon Harris said he supports repealing the Eighth Amendment.

MINISTER FOR HEALTH Simon Harris has said he wants to see a referendum on the Eighth Amendment take place in the summer of 2018.

Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Harris said it is “prudent” that his department starts the preparatory work for a referendum on the issue.

“My own personal view is that I would like to see a referendum take place in 2018 and I’d like to see it take place around the summer of 2018,” he said.

The recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on the Eight Amendment were published yesterday.

The Eighth Amendment says “the State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, so far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right”.

The Minister said that the Citizens’ Assembly report now deserves full consideration.

He said the report should now go to the special Oireachtas committee that has been set up to consider the issue.

He expects public hearings from the committee to begin in early autumn.

When the referendum will actually take place, and the practicalities of it, are matters for the committee, according to Harris.

“There are a number of issues that the Citizens’ Assembly have given consideration to including repealing of the eight amendment, that’s something I’m personally supportive of,” he said.

Also the issue of fatal foetal abnormality, an issue I absolutely think needs to be addressed in this country.

“I do genuinely think there is an important body of work to do over the next number of months, so that if we arrive at the point of a referendum, and I hope we do, that we can put forward legislation that is robust and also legislation that could garner the support of the country,” he said.

I do think it’s time once and for all that we give people in this country an opportunity to have a say on this issue.

Read: Citizens’ Assembly publishes additional recommendations on the Eighth Amendment

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    Jun 18th 2024, 10:26 AM

    So sad i grew up with so many fond memories of the music he produced….it was played in every club in the city for a decade… thanks for the 90s ….RIP

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    Jun 18th 2024, 10:57 AM

    So sad, another one gone way too early thanks to this awful disease. RIP Paul, and thanks for the memories

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    Jun 18th 2024, 11:14 AM

    By all accounts he was a very decent guy all round. ‘Voices’ by Dario G is one of my ‘go to’ uplifting songs. Always come back to it. RIP

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    Jun 18th 2024, 2:48 PM

    Sad, far too young, an awful bloody disease. Leaves a wonderful legacy, but would be better if he was still here to create. RIP

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    Jun 18th 2024, 3:20 PM

    https://youtu.be/dLB56lFYlBI?si=UrWBZhDNQoUXOrKk They should belt this one out at the euros tonight

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    Jun 18th 2024, 6:03 PM

    Heard he was a Crewe Alexandra fan and chose his scene name after Dario Gradi. RIP. Sunchyme (cover of Life in a Northern Town) such a catchy tune.

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