Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Cabinet met this morning to discuss the promised legislation relating to the referendum to repeal the eighth amendment. This has already been raised. The one thing the Taoiseach can control is the bringing of the Bill into the Dáil for debate. Why will that take two weeks from today? The Government has known about the Citizens' Assembly's recommendation since last April and it has had a chance to draft many possible Bills. The danger is that if we wait, we will not be able to meet the May deadline, which is the optimal time to vote for young people and students most affected by this. The campaign has begun already. Graphic images are being put in front of students at colleges and people walking down the street. We cannot set up the referendum commission until the Bill is brought to the Dáil. I do not understand the delay in bringing the referendum Bill. There is no need to wait until International Women's Day. If it is for publicity or kudos, that is a bit selfish because people really need to have this referendum at a time which facilitates most people. It is clear the burden of passing this referendum will fall to civic society because of the disunity of the establishment, so at least bring us the Bill quickly.

See this speech in context