THE GOVERNMENT has been urged to begin drafting legislation to replace the Eighth Amendment next week.
Minister for Health Simon Harris is expected to bring a request to Cabinet next Tuesday to begin the process of drafting the legislation.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Together For Yes co-chair Orla O’Connor said TDs and Senators should consider a special sitting over the summer to ensure the passage of legislation.
“The referendum was unique in the type of abortion care we want to provide for women,” said Ms O’Connor.
“The people have spoken, we’re calling on the Government to move to implement legislation next week.”
Labour leader Brendan Howlin with Minister for Health Simon Harris at the count at the RDS in Dublin (Image: RollingNews.ie)Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin today also called for swift action, urging the Government to ensure debate begins in the Oireachtas before the summer.
“The Cabinet will approve the process of drafting legislation on Tuesday, but I echo the calls of Together for Yes today that this should be progressed as quickly as possible this summer,” said Deputy Howlin.
“The Dáil will sit until mid-July providing significant time between now and then to progress this.”
He added: “I would hope that the two months of the referendum campaign will have facilitated work on a draft bill and that the Minister for Health can move speedily from Tuesday to produce a published bill for the Houses to debate before the summer recess.”
RTÉ reports that the framework to replace the Eighth Amendment will be drafted over the summer before tabled in the Dáil in the autumn.
It adds that Minister Harris hopes to have legislation in place by the end of the year.
See More: Abortion Referendum, Eighth Amendment
