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Check out this abortion debate between William Binchy and Mary Robinson in 1983

The controversial 8th Amendment has just been passed and two heavyweights from the pro-choice and pro-life sides go head-to-head.

william binchy

THERE HAS BEEN much talk in recent days about the 8th Amendment to the Constitution which has had far-reaching and unintended consequences for abortion in Ireland.

Amid calls for the amendment to be repealed after it emerged that a woman gave birth by caesarean after being refused an abortion under new legislation brought in last year, it’s worth revisiting the period 31 years ago when the amendment was passed.

A full, in-depth explainer on what the 8th Amendment can be found here.

But you should also check out this debate between two heavyweights of the pro-life and pro-choice movements shortly after the amendment was passed by a margin of 2-1 in September 1983

With Today Tonight presenter John Bowman are two constitutional lawyers, William Binchy (pro-life) and future president Mary Robinson (pro-choice), with Robinson in particular foretelling the problems that would emerge due to the way the amendment was worded.

Check it out:

IrishCatholic86 / YouTube

Read: This Labour minister wants an abortion referendum… but says it can’t happen now

Explainer: What is the 8th Amendment?

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    Mute Toby
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    Jul 28th 2023, 8:06 AM

    Every country France colonised is a mess now, recent coups in Mali, Burkina and Niger. Even France is a mess. Do we want to be in Europe as a bit player in their club?

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    Mute James Carroll
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    Jul 28th 2023, 8:51 AM

    @Toby: Yes.

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    Mute John Lonergan
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    Jul 28th 2023, 8:53 AM

    @Toby: cause the ones other countries colonised are all fine and dandy?

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    Mute Washpenrebel
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    Jul 28th 2023, 10:12 AM

    I would expect no one here realises that France is still has the biggest colonies in Africa. They countries they used to directly control, they now control their finances. Ie these countries reserves are stored in the French central bank. The French keep them poor and the enrich themselves with their resources. When a leader comes in they don’t like, they are removed. France is far from a democracy. In fairness to the British at least they left.

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Jul 28th 2023, 11:16 AM

    @Washpenrebel: In fairness the British left? Yes the British left after drawing lines in the sand that led to the deaths of millions between India and Pakistan. The mess they left behind in the Middle East is still going on to this day. The British Empire was just as bad as the French Empire. A legacy of murder and destruction.

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    Mute Washpenrebel
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    Jul 28th 2023, 12:37 PM

    @Donal Desmond: 100% agree with you. But the way the French still control former colonies is horrendous. There is a reason why the French foreign legion are still active all over Africa. Africa is still used as a resource to plunder a pillage from. The Congo being a perfect example with all its rich minerals.

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Jul 28th 2023, 10:31 AM

    Washpenrebel.
    For anyone starting to read his comment just skip down to the last sentence.

    It’s handy when commenters make their agenda so obvious.

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    Mute Pato
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    Jul 28th 2023, 3:04 PM

    The British left did they? How come I still see them when I go to Enniskillen?

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