The Taoiseach’s comments follow Mícheál Martin’s shock announcement regarding the Eighth Amendment on Thursday afternoon.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Friday afternoon that he believes Ireland’s abortion laws are too restrictive, are in need of reform and need to be liberalised.
However, Varadkar went on to say that he also believes, as Taoiseach, that he has a responsibility to listen to all of the arguments before he and the government pose the question to the general public.
He referred to the issue as both “personal and private” and expressed a wish that he wants a respectful debate before a referendum on the matter is held in the summer.
The Taoiseach travelled to Limerick on Friday to officially announce the major investment plan that will see H&MV Engineering double its workforce with an additional 150 jobs coming on stream over the next five years.
Hearing from some of the women who work with and benefit from the services provided here at St Munchin’s in Limerick. Making such a positive contribution to the local community. pic.twitter.com/rItbZf3ro5
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) January 19, 2018
While there, he met with the team at St Munchin’s Resource Centre just outside the city. St Munchin’s is a community family resource centre that provides family support, adult education, support groups and much more.
Delighted to meet the team here at St Munchin’s Resource Centre just outside Limerick City. Providing fantastic services to the local community. pic.twitter.com/RkIgRr9vio
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) January 19, 2018
While in the county, the Taoiseach also signed a book of condolences for Irish musician Dolores O’Riordain, who died suddenly on Monday night.
Varadkar went on to say that he feels he has a particular responsibility to the wording of the actual question on which people will be voting, stating that he will not make a decision until he becomes aware of just hat.
“I want to actually know what that question is before asking people to say yes or no,” he said.
This follows Fianna Fáil leader Mícheál Martin’s shock take on the Eighth Amendment on Thursday evening, where he told the Dáil that he would support the woman’s right to abortion in the first trimester, following a strong pro-life stance, from both Martin and his party, until now.
Varadkar announced that he believes the wording of the question at hand will be known in the next couple of weeks, and that he doesn’t believe the opinion of politicians will sway voters either way.
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