Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Even somebody as well known, media savvy and dynamic as the Taoiseach could easily have been missed at the massive demonstration for choice that took place in Dublin last Saturday. Among the tens of thousands of people were thousands of young students who were concerned and queried many Deputies there about the timing of the referendum next year and who would like to see it happen during the academic year rather than the proposed date of 8 June mooted by the Taoiseach. The reason is simple as many of them - thousands of students - leave the country as soon as their exams are finished to take up employment. Having campaigned very vigorously for the first time in their lives to have choice over their own bodily autonomy and a say in this important matter, they would be deprived of a vote. The vote on the same-sex marriage referendum took place in May so could the Taoiseach at least commit to doing his best to have the vote when the students are still around rather than when they would exit the country?

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