The Congress Executive Council recently took the decision to support the Trade Union Campaign to Repeal the 8th Amendment to the Irish Constitution.
Women make up more than half of trade union membership in Ireland and it is unacceptable that they still live in a country with one of the world's most restrictive abortion laws. Despite repeated calls by human rights organisations to reform those laws – which in effect criminalise Irish women - governments here have relied on women travelling to England and elsewhere in order to avail of safe and legal abortion services. The 8th amendment to the Constitution protects the foetus" right to life on an equal basis with a woman's life and has had a negative impact on the type of health care that women receive here. It is about time that it is repealed and that our elected representatives be given the responsibility of replacing our laws in a compassionate and humane manner. That is why our Executive Council, who originally opposed this amendment, have recently taken the decision to support the Trade Union Campaign to Repeal the 8th Amendment.
Statement by Trade Union Campaign here
