The Green Party have paid tribute to the tens of thousands of volunteers who campaigned in favour of a Yes vote, as early tallies indicate a historic Yes vote in the referendum to Repeal the 8th Amendment.
Reacting to the result, Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin TD said: “This result is truly historic. Tens of thousands of people around the country campaigned, canvassed, told their stories, had difficult and, at times, fraught conversations with loved ones, and delivered a remarkable Yes vote. This is a dignified, compassionate revolution, and a strong message that, no matter the difficulties or the decisions facing our people, we will look after them in our own country. We congratulate the Together4Yes campaign, and we thank our own members who campaigned and canvassed in their droves all around Ireland.”
Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan TD said: “People all around the country who campaigned for a Yes vote will greet this result with a great sense of relief. The country has listened to them and decided that, in future, we will deal with crisis pregnancies here at home rather than by sending women abroad. The Green Party look forward to supporting the progression of the Government’s draft legislation on the regulation of terminations in the Dáil.
“Every Irish woman who in the past was shamed and forced to travel will hopefully also feel a sense of joy as well as relief today, knowing that their sister, their friend or their daughter will not have to face a similar journey. We have put trust in our women by making this vote. I want to thank the members of our party and the Together4Yes campaign for the door to door contribution we have made to this historic result.
“One thing that this campaign has highlighted is the need to put in place more supports for all women and mothers in Irish society. One thing we might all agree on is to work together for fewer abortions in our country. Our party policy supports a world where choice means the right to have a child, as much as a right not to have one. By addressing the challenges in Ireland’s housing, social welfare, education, and economic systems – which disproportionately affect young women – we can move towards a really pro-choice society, where every prospective mother has real freedom in what she decides to do.”
