Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Green Party, I express support for the removal of the eighth amendment of the Constitution. We look forward to the establishment of a citizens' assembly as a mechanism for helping to deliver a referendum that will enable Irish people to decide on this complex and divisive issue. We should, in so far as is possible, allow Members to vote on the issue as they see fit and in accordance with their conscience. We should also leave the final decision on the matter to the Irish people.

It is useful to have a citizens' assembly to work out some of the mechanisms we must consider before presenting a referendum on the eighth amendment to the people. The assembly should also consider what legislative arrangements should be introduced following a referendum, depending on its outcome. My personal view is that it should be primarily the responsibility of an expectant mother and her doctor to try to work out what is the appropriate way to deal with a pregnancy, particularly where the pregnancy is in difficulty. We should provide significant support to women who are in such circumstances. We must also be careful as to the type of legislative arrangements we introduce. At this stage, more than 30 years since the amendment was introduced, it is clear that it has not served us well. Women are still travelling to the United Kingdom and it is not right that we have failed to address the issue and look after mothers in this country. I hope the citizens' assembly will be able to fulfil this responsibility.

I agree with Deputy Shortall that the citizens' assembly should conclude its deliberations relatively quickly and hope the Government takes this message on board.

The Green Party amendment proposes that the citizens' assembly consider the issue of climate change. I referred to this issue earlier today. We must engage with citizens in different ways to ensure they become engaged with the issue of climate change. A citizens' assembly does not necessarily discuss only constitutional issues. We should use this format in a range of innovative ways, including to examine how Ireland could become a leader in tackling climate change.

See this speech in context