Very differing views on Repeal the 8th.
If you were watching RTÉ this afternoon then the chances are that you were privy to a very passionate debate between the recently elected TDs from the Dublin West constituency, Fianna Fáil TD Jack Chambers and Ruth Coppinger of AAA-PBP.
Chambers is the first Fianna Fáil representative in the area since the sad passing of Brian Lenihan in June 2011 while Coppinger was previously a schoolteacher and a member of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland before becoming a Councillor for the Socialist Party on Fingal County Council and now AAA-PBP.
The duo have locked horns in the last few weeks in a bid for votes in their constituency but the debate on RTE was of a very different nature.
You may remember Chambers’ recent appearance on Tonight with Vincent Browne where he argued that the Irish public shouldn’t have a say in any decision to repeal the Constitution’s eighth amendment. That footage is below, and another heated debate took place on RTÉ this afternoon between the two TDs.
https://twitter.com/SamuelJPElliott/status/700461094356254720
Here’s how the Irish public felt about this discussion on Repeal the Eighth.
The young fella elected as a FF TD wants to "represent all the young people who left Ireland"
YOU'RE IN THE WRONG COUNTRY THEN MATE!!#GE16
— Mark Malone (@soundmigration) February 28, 2016
Good to hear @RuthCoppingerTD and @campaignforkate speaking about #repealthe8th being an important issue for next Dail. #rte
— Shona Murray (@ShonaMurray_) February 28, 2016
Thought I was watching Reeling in The Years but it was just Jack Chambers's haircut and ideals. #GE16
— Maria Ní Néill (on bluesky) (@cisuMaria) February 28, 2016
@RuthCoppingerTD speaking eloquently and passionately on the need to #RepealThe8th on @rtenews election coverage. Jack Chambers outclassed
— Boreas 🇪🇺🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@BorealFella) February 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/Alser82/status/703979905185357824
Fair play to @RuthCoppingerTD for giving Jack Chambers both barrels over the #repealthe8th . For a young man, he sounds like a party stooge
— Michael Brennan 🐦 (@michaelbren7) February 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/drrrop/status/703978830130708480
Delighted to hear @RuthCoppingerTD stating that women aren't going to put up with Jack Chambers and those who hold his views! #repealthe8th
— Emma Cassidy 🌈💜🖤 (@CassidyEmma) February 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/Stephanenny/status/703978209277308928
Jack Chambers, I'm in tears here. "Representing the youth of Ireland" yet looking and sounding like Reeling in the Years. Classic. #GE16
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) February 28, 2016
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