Uncertainty over referendum in Mayo

Mayo Oireachtas members taking differing views

Edwin McGreal and Ciara Galvin

The outcome of Friday’s divisive referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment remains unpredictable, and Mayo’s national politicians reflect that uncertainty. While many of the county’s elected representatives are nailing their colours to opposing masts, others are equivocating or preferring to remain silent.
Of the nine Mayo TDs and Senators contacted by this newspaper, only four confirmed a stance on either side of the Yes/No divide.
One senator said he was undecided ahead of Friday’s referendum, while four more members of the Oireachtas could not be reached despite several attempts.
The two Mayo Oireachtas members who said they will vote in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment are Fianna FΡil TD Lisa Chambers and Sinn Féin Senator Rose Conway-Walsh.
Already on the record with their intention to vote No are Fianna FΡil TD Dara Calleary and Fine Gael Senator John O’Mahony. His Fine Gael colleague, Senator Paddy Burke, said he has yet to make up his mind about how he will vote.
Repeated efforts to contact former Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Fine Gael), current Minister Michael Ring (Fine Gael) and Senators Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) and Keith Swanick (Fianna FΡil) were unsuccessful yesterday (Monday).
Fine Gael Senator and former TD John O’Mahony has previously stated he will be voting No, and he reiterated that position last night (Monday).
“The reasons are obviously that I would be totally opposed to unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks and obviously the life of the unborn, as the courts ruled recently that the only protection for the unborn in the Constitution was with the Eighth Amendment, so obviously I’d want to keep that, and obviously the life of the mother is equally important and that is a priority, and if the life of the mother is in danger at any stage I’d want it to be protected, but I also want protection for the life of the unborn.
“I don’t know have people thought through the reality of this. I obviously think there needs to be more supports put in for women that become pregnant for whatever reason in an unwanted pregnancy. I think there are better solutions than introducing abortion in Ireland,” he told The Mayo News.

Emotive
Sinn Féin Senator Rose Conway-Walsh said that she appreciated that this was a very emotive issue for many people but said she will be voting Yes.
“I will be voting Yes on May 25 because I care and I trust women and our medical and psychological services to determine what is best in the unique circumstances that each case entails.”  
Conway-Walsh said the primary consideration for those voting Yes is ‘the dreadful fact that many, many Irish women and girls, believed to be in the thousands annually, are compelled in the course of the most difficult time in their lives to leave the support of their family and friends and face a lonely journey to secure a termination in Britain or on the continent.”
Fianna FΡil TD Lisa Chambers confirmed to The Mayo News last night that she is in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment. Speaking in the DΡil on the issue last January, Deputy Chambers said the ‘status quo’ needs to be changed.
“If you are against the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, that means you want no change and want to maintain the status quo. That means that if a woman has been raped, you are content for her to be forced to remain pregnant against her will.
“It also means that if a young girl is pregnant as a result of incest, she should be forced to continue that pregnancy. It means that couples who are expecting a much-wanted baby and who receive a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality will not be cared for here at home.
“That is what being against the repeal of the Eighth Amendment means – that you are happy for the status quo to be maintained.”

Difficult
On the opposite side of the argument is Chambers’ party colleague Dara Calleary, the Fianna FΡil deputy leader, who said the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Committee went ‘too far’.
“I know this is a difficult decision for everybody, and I’m not claiming to have the monopoly on the wisdom of this issue. Everyone will have to make their own personal decision on this, and people should consider all of the arguments.
“We need to have respect that these views are deeply held and held out of various different value systems, and we should respect the right to have a different view. If we respect that we can have a debate which is informed and not divisive,” Deputy Calleary said.
Long-serving Castlebar-based Senator Paddy Burke said he is undecided.
“I haven’t my mind made up yet. I voted for the referendum to take place. I don’t know how I will vote on Friday yet. It is a very difficult decision,” he told The Mayo News.
He urged people who are also undecided to do what they can to educate themselves before Friday’s referendum.
That sentiment was echoed by The Referendum Commission. The Commission, which is the independent body set up to explain the proposal of the referendum and promote voter turnout, encourages voters who are unsure about their decision to turn to its independent guide and its website, www.refcom2018.ie, for unbiased facts about the referendum’s proposal on the regulation of termination of pregnancy.
Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on Friday next.

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