Voices of the 8th

It's just over a year since the eighth amendment was removed from the Irish constitution. In a new podcast for RTÉ News, Ailbhe Conneely speaks to some of those involved on both sides of the campaign including politicans, lawyers and doctors. Available June 15th on RTÉ.ie, RTÉ News Now and wherever you get your podcasts.

In the first episode of Voices of the 8th Ailbhe Conneely speaks to two leading campaigners on both sides of the Referendum. Long time women's rights campaigner and Co-Director of the Together for Yes Ailbhe Smyth and LOVEBOTH spokesperson and lawyer Cora Sherlock.

Communications Director for Save the 8th John McGuirk outlines the hurdles faced by his campaign during the referendum and Communications Manager for Together for Yes Amy Rose Harte discusses bringing the medical community to the fore during the campaign and hints to robust exchanges behind the scenes in the Together for Yes HQ.

Peadar Tobín TD was a member of Sinn Féin during the referendum campaign. He opposed the party's support of a Yes vote. He discusses the establishment of his own political party following the introduction of abortion services in 2019. Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger was one of the first politicians to highlight the use of abortion pills by women in Ir

Evidence on the use of illegal abortion pills by Irish women had a huge impact on the Referendum campaign. Assistant Professor at the School of Public Affairs in the University of Texas Abigail Aiken, originally from Derry brought the findings to the Oireachtas. Speaking from Austin, she outlines the history of the abortion pill, discusses the incl

Interviewed in April, Dr Mark Murphy who campaigned for Together for Yes offers abortion services up to 12 weeks. He discusses how the GP service works and where it could be improved. Dr Brendan Crowley who is based in Cork explains his unwaivering opposition to abortion and expresses his disappointment over the introduction of abortion services in

In this bitesize episode Senior Lecturer in Law Mairéad Enright who is based at Birmingham University and campaigned with Lawyers for Choice discusses the legal aspects to the legislation including safe zones.

Director of the Women's Rights Foundation Lara Dimitrijevic discusses the challenges facing the abortion rights campaign in Malta. Campaigner for the group Precious Life Bernadette Smyth gives her reaction to the referendum result and explains why she brought the US pro-life based brand Stanton Healthcare to Northern Ireland.

In the final episode of Voices of the 8th, the Minister for Health who oversaw the introduction of abortion services in Ireland explains how his views on abortion have changed. Interviewed in April, Minister Simon Harris discusses the three-day wait period, conscientious objection and the potential changes to the legislation in the future.