The national debate on the repeal of the eighth amendment of the Constitution (the constitutional ban on abortion in Ireland) has gathered momentum in recent years. For the first time since the amendment was passed into law, in 1983, it has become a regular feature of national discussion and the focus of campaigns mobilising both for and against its repeal.
IMPACT does not take a position on what the law around this issue ought to be. However, the union has recently adopted a policy to support the repeal of the amendment.
It is a polarising issue, one upon which people hold very strong views on both sides of the argument. We need to acknowledge that this presents particular difficulties for some members of IMPACT.
At this year’s IMPACT biennial delegate conference, three of the union’s branches separately brought similar motions in support of a constitutional referendum on the eighth amendment.
A composite motion, which was overwhelmingly passed by conference after a substantial debate, reads as follows:
“That this conference calls for the repeal of the eight amendment to the constitution by holding a referendum in 2016 to repeal the eight amendment” (Motion 104, published on page 32 of the IMPACT conference agenda, see also motions 108.1 and 108.2 on page 43).
By passing the motion to support the call for a constitutional referendum, conference, which represents all branches of IMPACT, made this the union’s policy. The policy is limited to supporting the campaign to hold a referendum to repeal the eight amendment, it does not extend to taking any other positions on the issue of abortion. The union does not intend to use member subscriptions to support or fund campaign groups on the issue.
Members of a representative organisation like IMPACT, with almost 60,000 members, will have diverse views on a wide range of social and political issues. That is why the decision making procedures of the union are subject to a rigorous democratic process, with strict rules to govern that process.
Nevertheless, the union’s support for any campaign does not detract from its core function to represent every member of the union in their workplace, and does not alter the priorities of the union in this respect.
By taking part in the national debate on the eight amendment, the union is taking on a new and difficult challenge. In this regard, we need to ensure that the debate within IMPACT maintains the spirit of mutual respect and shared dignity which are core values of this trade union.
