The Irish Health Minister, Simon Harris, has told Sky News that getting an abortion is already "a reality for Irish women," despite the fact that women in Ireland have had to travel abroad to terminate their pregnancies. He added that each day, up to nine women would travel to the UK to have an abortion, and at least three women would take an abortion pill without any supervision.
The Irish history of changes
Ireland will vote on the issue this upcoming Friday, but the country is split in its attitude towards the matter, as it is said to test the faith and the old order established in the country. The eight amendment in the Irish constitution says; "Acknowledged the right to life of the unborn, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother." And it is on that amendment that the Irish nation does not see eye to eye on.
It was signed into law in October 1983 and it states that only under extreme circumstances can an abortion take place. But Ireland is no stranger to changing old laws.
In 1996 the country removed the prohibition of divorce, according to the Irish Statute Book, and in 2015, the Irish nation overwhelmingly voted yes to same-sex marriages. And if the nation votes yes this upcoming Friday, that will enact a legislation that will allow for terminations up to 12 weeks into pregnancy. If the result is a no, the amendment stays intact with no changes whatsoever.
Ireland is believed to be one of the most Catholic countries in the world. Yet many believe it is time for the country to join the other 200 countries that hold a woman's right to have an abortion, sacred, and therefore be part of the ever-changing world in the 21st century. The Irish Times reported that the debate has touched every democracy in Ireland.
Even the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) had to issue a statement, saying that broadcasters have no obligation to adhere to a strict 50:50 split in airtime between both sides.
It could go either way
It is clear that this is a heated issue in Ireland. According to The Guardian, Irish people all over the world are now preparing to head home simply to cast their vote on the matter. Two opinion polls that were released this May, show that the "Yes" side holds the majority of the votes, but it will likely be a very narrow gap. Many of those who plan on voting "No" state that the government's proposal is way too extreme, but those voting "yes" say that it is an outdated law, and neither the government nor anyone else should have a say in a woman's hardest choice.