Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Quite frankly, I do not agree with it and we need a referendum on the issue. This was not just dreamed up on the floor of the Dáil but it was passed by the people of this country. It is not for me to discuss the legislative constitutional realities of any other country but the Deputy knows full well that if we want to change the Constitution of this country, we need 50% plus one to accept the proposal. I see the Deputy is wearing the "repeal the eighth" jumper, and the challenge for anyone who believes in repealing the eighth amendment will be to engage with the electorate and the citizens of this country on what would replace it. I know the Deputy has views and, in fairness to her, she put forward legislative ideas in this regard. We have seen there are significant different views in this country and they are different from mine and the Deputy's. I hope we have a referendum and I expect we will ultimately have a referendum. The Citizens' Assembly is doing good work and it is not for me to dictate what the Citizens' Assembly discusses. It is for all of us to expect it to report quite quickly to this House. That will happen and it is then for us to act on it.

See this speech in context