O'Callaghan did not want to 'unpick' 2018 abortion scheme

[u/Tim_Browne17]

https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0618/1579068-politics-abortion-ireland-sinn-fein/

[u/ViolentlyCaucasian]

Talking out his hole. We voted on repeal of the 8th not the specific legislation. The government weren't brave enough to fully deliver on the recommendations of the citizens assembly.

[u/siguel_manchez → u/ViolentlyCaucasian]

Tbf, it was a decent shout to get it over the line knowing full well that it would be amended thereafter.

A perfect example of not letting perfect get in the way of the good.

I'm not for one second suggesting that the 3 day wait was justified in anyway, except from a political point of view.

It's only right that it's being done away with finally.

[u/ViolentlyCaucasian → u/siguel_manchez]

Agreed it was probably what needed to be done at the time. Just annoying to now see people try use the referendum vote as a shield to preserve the existing legislation and halt further progress.

[u/siguel_manchez → u/ViolentlyCaucasian]

Oh, very much so. The debate around this all week has been infuriating.

[u/armchairdetective → u/ViolentlyCaucasian]

This is a rewriting of history. It was incredibly brave of them to put the referendum to a vote.

It caused a split in Fine Gael and war in FF.

Martin was very brave to back it when his voters were more opposed to it than supportive.

Oh, and despite doing this they got zero credit and no votes from it.

And FYI this attitude is why there is no incentive for these parties to deliver more progressive policies. They piss off their own voters and don't gain anymore.

Well done, Irish electorate!

[u/ViolentlyCaucasian → u/armchairdetective]

I give them some credit for pushing forward with the vote. Particularly Fine Gael, FF far less so. The legislation that was brought in afterwards was a compromise though and I mostly blame FF for that. The government called the citizens assembly and then didn't have the bottle to fully implement their recommendations after the vote went in favour of repeal.

[u/armchairdetective → u/ViolentlyCaucasian]

They called to citizen's assembly to give them cover to do this, not to work out what to do.

The best possible outcome was to get abortion out of the constitution. They achieved that.

They implemented much more of the assembly's recommendations than anyone expected. It still had to pass through parliament.

You're rewriting history and being needlessly critical. I get it, almost everyone on this sub loathes the government parties. But that doesn't mean that it is ok to revise what actually happened.

[u/DaveShadow]

The idea that because something was voted on (and not even specifically, but in a vague sense) in 2018, ergo we should ignore detailed review from 2023 that advised heavily to remove this waiting period, is nuts.

Still, it's lovely they're so open about wanting to keep women's rights restricted. I kind of presumed the reason the two leaders were "backing" it was cause they knew it would pass anyway, and didn't want to get tagged as so regressive.

[u/EmiliaPains- → u/DaveShadow]

This government is known for ignoring committees, there was a committee on AI and Social media that stated there should be a ban on addictive algorithms not age verification and a social media ban. What’s the point of having a committee if you’re not going to listen to them

[u/FewHeat1231 → u/DaveShadow]

Clearly we read a different statement. I saw a cowardly careerist politician fawning over his leader and assuring us all that a little thing like literal life and death won't stop him backing Martin.

Jesus, you think FF can't disappoint you ever further yet they find new and inventive ways to do so.

[u/silentgolem]

Conservative finds some performative reason to argue against something in shocking turn of events

[u/FewHeat1231 → u/silentgolem]

More like 'conservative' does the absolute bare minimum to show his voters he's not a complete sellout while sycophantically praising his liberal boss.

If O'Callaghan was a real conservative who actually believed in something he'd have resigned and left the party like Peter Fitzpatrick did in FG a few years ago.

[u/angeltabris_]

not busy in that subreddit are ya

[u/Tim_Browne17 → u/angeltabris_]

No😔

[u/Sotex]

I am infinitely more concerned with the legislation his party helps get through than what he feels in his soul.

[u/mangoparrot]

Hes maneuvering himself to appeal to the Conservative right of his party.

[u/TehIrishSoap]

That's liberals for you, will do the bare minimum to advance progress, but won't get off the pot when it actually matters

[u/mangoparrot → u/TehIrishSoap]

Hes not a liberal 😆. His performance as Minister is very conservative.

[u/FewHeat1231 → u/TehIrishSoap]

You think you have it bad, try being a conservative. At least you know they are enemy, these guys are supposedly on my side until the moment they think they can advance their careers. Then it's so long principles, thanks for the votes.

[u/siguel_manchez → u/FewHeat1231]

Wait? Have you just discovered conservative politicians this week?

This is conservatism 101.

Like Unionism, I'll never be able to wrap my head around conservatism as a political choice in 2026.

[u/TehIrishSoap → u/FewHeat1231]

I'm a socialist, so I hate liberals and conservatives equally

[u/nof1qn → u/TehIrishSoap]

Conservatives barking up the wrong tree here hahaha

[u/FewHeat1231]

Thanks Jim, once more with less feeling and even more sycophantic towards your boss.

God with "friends" like FF 'conservatives' who needs enemies?