Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last Friday's vote was a truly historic event in the almost 100 year history of our State. I was quietly confident of a "Yes" vote, given the response while out campaigning in my own constituency of Dublin South-Central. I think I said last Thursday that it was a question of people vindicating what they had said on the doorsteps. The three-to-one vote on polling day was not a great surprise, but we did not know what the country as a whole was thinking, what everyone else was thinking. I was at Heuston Station at 4 o'clock on Friday with Together for Yes and was just overwhelmed by the number of people coming off the Luas at Heuston Station, walking up to us, grabbing stickers even though they had already indicated they would vote "Yes", smiling, winking, enthusiastic. After that activity, I just thought, "This is going to pass confidently - there is no doubt about it." I even texted a few friends about it. It was just the way the wind was blowing. One could feel it; it was tangible around the station. The big surprise of the size of the national "Yes" vote was for the commentariat. These people are of course convinced of their own liberal views but what about the great unwashed? Who knew how they would vote. The anticipated differences between urban and rural, older and younger, and men and women never really materialised because they do not really exist. To my mind, people have voted in accordance with their life experiences.

Legislation will now follow to bring Ireland into line with the norm in most European countries. However, this vote was not just about abortion; it was a victory for women over the forces that have demanded for centuries that they be kept under control and on a tight rein because they cannot be trusted. The joyous celebrations in Dublin Castle can be understood from this perspective.

Those who voted "No" from a moral or religious convection absolutely deserve respect, but it is necessary to differentiate between them and the forces behind the "No" campaign and the self-styled pro-life movement. The issue is about control and power. It was about maintaining their power to enforce their reactionary views on women and to impose that particular Catholic ethos on the State and its institutions. They were quite happy with the status quo, that is, that abortion could take place outside the State, or that women could take abortion pills purchased online without medical supervision. In fact, in the last week of the campaign, as they saw the writing on the wall, they changed tack to say the eighth amendment could possibly be amended to take account of what they termed "hard cases" - fatal foetal abnormalities and rape.

Noticeable throughout the campaign was the relatively low key role played by the Catholic bishops. Yes, they used the pulpit and held prayer vigils in churches, but nowadyas most people do not go to church, especially young people. This was a recognition, I believe, of the fundamental change which had taken place in society and the limits of their power.

This is a victory for those men and women who have long campaigned not just on abortion rights but on contraception, divorce, gay rights, liberal rights, equal pay, etc. It is at the same time a massive defeat for the international forces that want to roll back the clock on women's rights. I hope many thousands of women and men in countries such as the Philippines and Argentina who are under the same strict rules that we were derive hope for change from the "Yes" vote in Ireland on Friday.

What do we need to do now? A number of Deputies met with the Minister yesterday. We need proper sex and relationships education for young people in schools. It should be part of the curriculum and delivered by trained teachers in schools, working in catchment areas with age-appropriate education. We need freely available contraception for both men and women. All services funded by the State should be owned, controlled and run by the State in the interests of all, regardless of faith or lack of it. These are the political battles that will take place in the future.

Yesterday Deputy Clare Daly spoke very emotionally about the campaign and why we are here today. She mentioned organisations such as the Irish Family Planning Association, IFPA, the Well Woman Centre and the abortion clinics in Britain which had helped Irish women and paid for them to have abortions there. She mentioned Ms Ailbhe Smyth, who should be mentioned. I highlight the role Deputy Clare Daly played because she did not recognise it in her contribution. She has played a key role and I was very proud to be part of it with Deputies Mick Wallace, Richard Boyd Barrett and Catherine Murphy, as well as all those who supported the legislation we brought forward.

I will finish by saying onward to a modern, secular Ireland, both North and South. I hope the people will continue in their struggle to change Irish society.

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