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FIANNA FÁIL’S FINANCE spokesperson Michael McGrath TD has said that he does not share his party leader’s views on the Eighth Amendment.
McGrath told RTÉ’s Today with Seán O’Rourke that he favours the Eighth Amendment being replaced in the constitution, not repealed.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin told the Dáil on Thursday that he has come to the view that the Eighth Amendment has caused “real damage to Irish women“ and should be repealed.
Speaking this morning, McGrath said he felt that removing the amendment would lead to an “unknown” because the government cannot guarantee what legislation would be passed afterwards.
“If the question is that there would be a full repeal of the amendment with the intention to replace it with legislation providing for unrestricted access to abortion up to 12 weeks, then that is something that I cannot support, I believe it is a step too far,” he said.
“I genuinely believe that where we appear to be going with this question is actually not where the majority of the Irish people sit on this question.”
One serious concern I have is that if the question is full repeal of the Eighth Amendment and the government publishes indicative legislation providing for abortion up to 12 weeks, people really if they pass that referendum will be signing up to an unknown because there is no certainty that that is where the legislation will finally fall.
“We already heard many of those in the Dail, who would be on the repeal side, who believe that it should not rest at 12 weeks, that it should be much further,” he added.
Martin has acknowledged that not all in Fianna Fáil will agree with his personal position but added that his party has allowed members a free vote on the issue.
On Friday, Fianna Fáil TD Bobby Aylward said he wants like-minded members of the party who oppose repeal to meet and discuss how they will campaign against it.
McGrath stated today that he would not be attending that meeting and said he has not decided in what capacity he would be campaigning.
He also stated that it is natural that people have contrasting views on the issue and that he supports his party allowing members expressing differing views.
“Households will be split, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
Speaking later to Neil Prendeville on Cork’s Red FM, Martin said there is “an absolutism and inflexibility” that is not helpful inherent in the Eighth Amendment.
He also rejected suggestions that changing Ireland’s abortion laws in the manner proposed would alter how Irish society views moral questions in this area.
“I don’t any longer buy the argument that if we change our laws we’ll somehow become like other countries or we’ll become immoral in relation to these issues, and I think that’s been overstated in the past,” he said.
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Great chance of bronze, maybe a silver
McGrory played her part brilliantly
@Argus Romsworth: does she get a medal if she doesn’t run and the team win a medal?
@Dogg: Yes she does. Once she’s part of the team, she’ll get any medal they win
All the best and goodluck Ireland
Straight back up on the horse as the saying goes.good on her
Woooo hooo. Come on ladies. One last medal for the road !!
destined for great things that young one…
A bit tough on the lass who ran tonight
@Helena Camella Cummins: this is the Olympics. You play your best cards. I think mcgrory and cadden will only be happy for adeleke to run if it ensures they get an olympic medal.
Was just wondering if the length of her hair is holding her back. Surely there’s a little drag?
@Michael Carty: A recent study on the topic.
https://www.hw.ac.uk/news/2024/athletes-can-be-significantly-slowed-down-by-long-hair-and-loose-clothing-new-research-shows
@Michael Carty: And she’d look so cool and gorgeous with a short afro! I’ve never understood the culture of long hair amongst female athletes.
Break the mold Rashidat!
For the uneducated, does that mean the runner who drops out misses out on a medal if they win?
@David Burns: all the relay team get medals
@David Burns: No as far as I know all athletes who run in the competition will get a medal. They don’t have a hope of medalling without her though.
@john kenny: thanks
@Pip morgan: thanks
Fair play girls, just enjoy your team work, and most importantly enjoy your friendship together, something so special is going to happen. Thank you all so much for all your hard yards that no one sees,so glad to be irish. Best of luck to you all.
What a fantastic athlete she is and what a fantastic relay team, they are all amazing and up there competing with and challenging the very best in the world.
At 21, Adeleke has at least 2 more Olympics to go and I imagine she will run sub 49 in L.A/2028, she has much success ahead of her.
OK great team work
Just seen Breaking for the first time.
Oh.
My.
God.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Good News! It won’t be in LA28!
Should have let the 4 women who got to the final compete the final.
@Richie Whelan: that’s not how it works Richie,all the relay teams will have the individual athletes returning,they had been concentrating on their respective individual events and now that they have them out of the way they return to their relay team.
A bit tough on McGrory but that’s down to the managers!
Collaboration
On the wings of a doves Irish team good luck to you all Irish and proud.
Last waltz in Paris for this brave lady she shall be released again in LA for the Island of Ireland.
have your say