skip to main content

Together for Yes calls on young people to register to vote ahead of referendum

There are 466,000 people aged between 18 and 25 who are eligible to vote in Ireland if they are registered
There are 466,000 people aged between 18 and 25 who are eligible to vote in Ireland if they are registered

Together for Yes, which is in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment, has called on young people in particular to register to vote ahead of the upcoming referendum. 

The head of its mobilisation team Laura Harmon said those who have changed their address recently, need to ensure they are on the supplement to the Register of Electors before the deadline of 8 May. 

Together for Yes said 122,000 people have turned 18 since the last general election who are eligible to vote.

There are 466,000 people aged between 18 and 25 who are eligible to vote in Ireland if they are registered. 

Together for Yes has said is fully compliant with all legislation surrounding the electoral act in relation to its fundraising. 

Director of the Campaign Orla O'Connor said it is fully compliant with the legislation and with Standards In Public Office. 

She said last week's crowdfunding campaign showed "the depth of feeling in relation to the danger of the Eighth Amendment to people's lives".

When asked if there was negativity between the Yes and No sides of the campaign, she said for its part it was a respectful campaign.

"We know how important it is. We also know it's a sensitive issue and that's very much how the work of Together for Yes, the campaign we're leading is a very respectful one and that's what we're focused on," she said. 

Asked about criticism by the Love Both Campaign to the Minister for Health, the Group's Co-director Ailbhe Smyth said Simon Harris is entitled to speak to his own legislation.

The LoveBoth campaign today accused the Minister for Health of being "obsessed" with the repeal campaign over other health matters. 

Its spokesperson Geraldine Martin said Mr Harris tweeted or retweeted about the Eighth Amendment 134 times between January and 17 April this year, but only once on the trolley crisis.

Meanwhile, a group of lawyers has come together calling for the Eighth Amendment to be retained in the Constitution.

More than 100 lawyers have signed a statement saying the proposed legislation is "a wide-ranging right to abortion".

Lawyers from every level of the profession, both currently in practice or working in other fields, are part of the group.

Their hope is that, having considered the proposals, the public will conclude it would be "unjust to withdraw the existing constitutional protections from the unborn child or give the Government the power that they seek to legislate in this area."

Barrister Benedict Ó Floinn said it was heartening to see so many people "with no vested interest" coming forward and to put legal clarity to the people before they make a decision on 25 May. 

Mr Ó Floinn described as "profoundly unjust", the present proposal to remove the Eighth Amendment and replace it with legislation.

He said the Constitution was the place to safeguard and state fundamental rights.

Tonight, lawyers who are in favour of repealing the amendment gathered in Dublin as part of the Together for Yes Campaign.

Senior Counsel Peter Ward said its inclusion into the Constitution in 1983 has led to adverse consequences and that it was time to bring those consequences to an end.

Mr Ward described the amendment as an absolutist and unyielding provision.