{"id":345,"date":"2018-01-26T07:53:59","date_gmt":"2018-01-26T12:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=345"},"modified":"2018-01-26T07:54:20","modified_gmt":"2018-01-26T12:54:20","slug":"mcgrath-describes-removal-of-8th-amendment-as-a-step-too-far","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=345","title":{"rendered":"McGrath Describes Removal of 8th Amendment as \u2019a Step too Far\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s finance spokesperson Michael McGrath says he would not be able to support the removal of the 8th Amendment with access to abortion up to 12 weeks, describing it as \u201ca step too far.\u201d
\nMichael McGrath told told Richard Curran on Today with Sean O\u2019Rourke that it was inevitable that there would be a referendum and that he would favour replacing, rather than repealing, the amendment.
\nHe said that he \u201chasn\u2019t slept very well\u201d over the last couple of nights, while he thought over the issue and called for a respectful debate over the next few months.
\n\u201cI think it is inevitable now that there will be a referendum and I support the holding a referendum,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cBut if the referendum is asking the question that there should be a straight forward repeal of the 8th Amendment with the intention of replacing with legislation providing for unrestricted access to abortion up to twelve weeks, then that is not something that I can personally support.
\n\u201cI think it is a step too far.\u201d
\nHe said that he agreed with much of party leader, Michael Martin\u2019s, sentiments. However, he added, he did not agree with the conclusion Mr Martin reached.
\nHe said that Mr Martin did not discuss his views with the parliamentary party but that he did not have to, nor should he have, adding that he had not consulted with Mr Martin on his views.
\nHe said people should not have to leave a political party because they hold a different view on the right to life.
\nSpeaking afterwards, Minister for Education Richard Bruton told RT\u00c9 Radio 1 that he is with the Taoiseach, that he will wait before sharing his position.
\n\u201cIn waiting until we have discussed at Cabinet and we\u2019ve heard all the opinion, and the opinion of the Attorney General,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cI want to hear the views of the Attorney General, I want to make a collective decision that puts to the people a robust proposal that we can stand over and I want to take the time to hear those opinions.\u201d <\/p>\n

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