TANAISTE JOAN BURTON has said Labour’s 2016 general election manifesto “will be seeking, on behalf of women, to repeal the eighth amendment”.
Burton had indicated last year at the Labour leadership hustings in Portlaoise that she would favour a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment which enshrines in the Constitution the equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child.
She said if Labour makes it back into government next time around, she envisages that it will be on the programme for government.
Sinn Fein said it will also campaign on the issue.
However, while some parties are pinning their colours to the mast on this issue, Fianna Fáil said it would not be making such a commitment in its election manifesto.
Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin said his party would not be proposing to repeal the 8th amendment.
“Fianna Fáil have already said that “on issues of life and death, it is a conscience issue for members”.
He said anything in relation to those issues would be decided in the manner of a free vote by its members where they can vote in accordance with their conscience, he said.
Martin was critical of Labour’s commitment, adding that it is one thing to say you will repeal it, “but what will it be replaced with?” he asked.
He added that he is pro-life as a principle, and criticised Labour’s commitment as a “simplistic declaration”.
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