Press Release- Bríd Smith TD, People Before Profit    29/01/2018

Bríd Smith welcomes announcement of May referendum

Calls on people to get active to win the vote to repeal

Deputy Bríd Smith has welcomed the announcement of a May referendum on the 8th Amendment and is calling on all those who want to see an end to this barbaric section of the constitution to get active in winning the vote.

“This is a very important moment and it would not have happened without the energy, commitment and activism of the Repeal Movement and the pressure that this has put on the Government. We cannot be complacent but need to put our shoulders to the wheel and ensure that we win a clear and strong majority for Repeal of the 8th. We need to build a vibrant, dynamic campaign, similar to that of the same-sex marriage referendum and we can change Ireland forever.”Read more »

Brid Smith calls for simple repeal  

Press Release- Bríd Smith TD, People Before Profit 29/01/2018

Bríd Smith has urged the Cabinet to set a date in May for a simple referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment from the constitution.

Citing recent opinion polls, the TD stated that the tide had turned on this issue and people are supportive of giving women the right to choose.

It will not be acceptable if the Cabinet ignore the findings of the Joint Oireachtas Committee by following the expected advice of the Attorney General. The Oireachtas Committee also was presented with legal advice that supported a simple repeal.

Deputy Smith stated, “The Attorney General is a political appointee, and his opinion would be just a legal opinion not a statement of fact.Read more »

People Before Profit TD Brid Smith is calling on the Taoiseach and his cabinet to opt for a simple “Repeal” or “Repeal Simpliciter” at their meeting on Monday 29th January which will decide the wording and the date of the referendum on 8th Amendment to the constitution.

Deputy Smith said “It is worth noting that fourteen of twenty TD’s and Senators who worked on the special joint Oireachtas Committee on 8th Amendment voted to recommend a straightforward repeal of the Eighth Amendment. This is a signifcant majority on the committee and must therefore carry some weight and influence with the Cabinet in reaching their decision. Even if the Attorney General does not recommend a simple Repeal there was very significant legal advice given to the committee that any attempt to keep abortion in the constitution could be very problematic and that it is impossible to give absolute legal certainty in trying to do so.”Read more »

Press Release- Bríd Smith TD, People Before Profit 26/01/2018

Bríd Smith welcomes latest opinion poll on abortion and calls for repeal
Bríd Smith, the People Before Profit TD for Dublin South Central, has welcomed the latest Irish Times/MRBI poll which indicates that 65 percent of decided voters favour Repeal and abortion up to 12 weeks.
She said, “The latest opinion poll should put an end to all talk about the need for a more restrictive referendum.
“The majority of people want a simple vote on Repeal and the implementation of the Citizens’ Assembly’s recommendation of abortion on request up to 12 weeks.
“It also indicates how out of touch Leo Varadkar is.
“He claims to be a leader of opinion and has asked if access to abortion on request up to 12 weeks is a step too far for the majority of people.
“It may be too much for Varadkar’s own conservative instincts but not for the majority of voters.
“It is time to move on and hold a simple repeal referendum in May and for the antics and delaying tactics by some TDs in the Dáil to stop. It is time the people had their say.”

Press Release- Bríd Smith TD, People Before Profit
23/01/2018
Involvement of right wing propaganda agency linked to alt-right, hard-line brexiteers and Trump campaign shows the true nature of the pro-life movement, says Bríd Smith
People Before Profit TD, Bríd Smith, has said that the hiring of Kanto by an Irish anti choice group highlighted the nature and probable tactics of those campaigning against Repeal.  Kanto was heavily involved with hard-line Tory and UKIP brexiteers , the alt-right and the Trump campaign

Read more »

Press Release- Bríd Smith TD, People Before Profit  16/01/2018

People Before Profit TD, Bríd Smith, has raised concerns about the decision to extend the time for Dáil statements on the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment report and suggestions from the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that the referendum may not be held in May.

She said that it is extremely worrying to hear the Taoiseach obfuscate and backslide on the issue of holding the referendum in May when young people would still be in the country before heading abroad to work over the summer.

Read more »

Report is a huge step forward for the Repeal movement

People Before Profit TD, Bríd Smith, has welcomed the report by the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment.

The TD for Dublin South Central said that the report outlining recommendations calling for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution and for abortion to be made available to women in this country, unrestricted up to 12 weeks is a huge moment and a historic day.

“I welcome the committee report which calls for repeal of the 8th amendment which has inflicted untold misery on thousands of women since its insertion into the constitution three decades ago. Repealing the 8th should allow us to provide the best obstetric and maternity care available to women.”Read more »