The abortion referendum of 2018 and a timeline of abortion politics in Ireland to date

The death of conservative Ireland? The 2018 abortion referendum

“…The deliberations of the Citizens' Assembly and the All Party Oireachtas Committee provided the long lead into the abortion referendum. The campaign proper began in early 2018 and the protagonists broke down along familiar lines, albeit with a significant shift in the balance of influence among the groups involved (Field, 2018). In 1983, the conservative pro-life campaign dominated debates and adopted an absolutist anti-abortion position.…”

“…In 1983, the conservative pro-life campaign dominated debates and adopted an absolutist anti-abortion position. Evolution in citizen attitudes, a much stronger prochoice movement and significant changes in the regulation of referendum campaigns delivered a campaign discourse focused on women's rights and healthcare and characterised by attention to the voices of women affected by the abortion prohibition (Field, 2018;Reidy, 2019). There were a series of radio and television debates, widespread news coverage, an extensive ground canvass and nationwide postering.…”

Persistence and Change in Morality Policy: The Role of the Catholic Church in the Politics of Abortion in Ireland and Poland

“…The progressive delegitimisation of Ireland’s abortion law was observable in public expression of dissatisfaction and widespread non-compliance. This pressure, combined with legal obligations from the European Court of Human Rights’ rulings and discontent with the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 (2013) , led abortion to become an important issue in the 2016 general election and resulted in Fine Gael’s commitment to hold a Citizens’ Assembly, eventually followed by a referendum on the 8 th Amendment (Field, 2018; see de Londras, 2020, this issue). When the referendum was held in May 2018, the electorate voted to repeal by 66.4 per cent to 33.6 per cent, with a turnout of 64.13 per cent (Field, 2018).…”

“…This pressure, combined with legal obligations from the European Court of Human Rights’ rulings and discontent with the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 (2013) , led abortion to become an important issue in the 2016 general election and resulted in Fine Gael’s commitment to hold a Citizens’ Assembly, eventually followed by a referendum on the 8 th Amendment (Field, 2018; see de Londras, 2020, this issue). When the referendum was held in May 2018, the electorate voted to repeal by 66.4 per cent to 33.6 per cent, with a turnout of 64.13 per cent (Field, 2018). Exit polls from the referendum revealed that for 62 per cent of voters the ‘right to choose’ was the most important issue in their vote and that 75.2 per cent had ‘always’ known how they would vote, while for only 12 per cent their religious views had been the most important factor in their vote (McShane, 2018, p. 621).…”

In Ireland We ‘Love Both’? Heteroactivism in Ireland’s Anti-Repeal Ephemera

“…It formed in early 2018 and was a collective grouping of prominent anti-abortion organisations such as the Life Institute and Youth Defence. 4 It played a significant role in media debates, advocating for a ‘No’ vote through public spokespeople, participating in key televised debates, issuing press releases and supporting individuals (including experts such as doctors and lawyers) to speak to the media and wider public (Field, 2018). They were also first to put up their posters shortly after the referendum was announced.…”