100 Voices For YES: Irish Artists Speak Up For Repeal

81. Siobhan McSweeney
Actress
Primarily, I think the 8th, as it stands, doesn’t aid either side of the argument when it comes to abortion. It’s not legally robust or clear enough to help women, medical practitioners and doctors. So regardless of your personal opinion, it’s very clear that even with the views of the No side, the 8th Amendment doesn’t help their cause, because it’s not a strong piece of guidance or legislation.
Then, being Irish, I think of the Catholic Church and their views on abortion. And I just don’t think that the Catholic Church has any moral authority in this case. The Church has never behaved morally in the past when it comes to children and there’s still no reason to trust them now. My morality does not come from the Church, it does not come from a book written by men.
Also – and this is very important – it’s already happening. And everyone knows that. Keeping the amendment isn’t saving anything. The problem is being exported every day and, if we keep the status quo, that will continue to happen. It’s better to legislate for this. Finally, as someone incredibly proud to be Irish – and while I know I don’t get to pick and choose what

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82. Maria Doyle Kennedy (pictured) + Kieran Kennedy
Musicians
On May 25 we will be voting to repeal the 8th Amendment. For us it is a vote of compassion for all those who cannot go forward with their pregnancy, for all those who have to travel abroad or who take abortion pills (unsafely, unsupervised) every day because we, as a country, pretend that it is not happening.
We are very grateful to be parents but it was our choice to be so. For those in different circumstances than us, it cannot be our decision, our choice that they are forced into that role.
We must trust and respect women and allow them to make the decision that is right for them. Their bodies, their lives, their choice.

83. Glenn Rosborough
Singer & Songwriter
I can’t understand how anyone could try and dictate what happens with someone’s body – to put health and life at risk for an archaic belief. We need to protect our neighbours, friends, sisters, daughters and mothers. Repeal the 8th.

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84. Bronagh Gallagher
Singer & Songwriter
The pro-choice campaign has been fantastic, I think we’ve done the country proud and I truly think we are going to pull through to the other side. I hope that this referendum is a follow-up to the same-sex marriage referendum, which was the first step in this movement that Ireland is going through, which is bringing us away from the Church and the State. I think that this referendum is showing a different Ireland, a better Ireland and a stronger Ireland. The 8th Amendment was implemented in a time that no longer exists, and the power that we are seeing in the people of Ireland today to repeal that amendment – that power is coming from years of oppression and anger and frustration. At the end of the day, it’s a private matter between a woman and a man, a woman and her body. It’s as simple as that. Let’s give the women of Ireland that, if nothing else.

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85. Col Patterson
The Vinylheads
No woman should suffer ever again like Savita Halappananavar. Women should have the right to make their own decisions with help from their doctors. Ireland has shown that we have matured as a country in many other decisions. Let’s show our women that we respect them and their rights. Vote Yes!

86. Kelly Bolger
Look To The Lady
Nobody should have control over your own body but you, especially not an organisation responsible for the deaths of hundreds of infants put in mass graves. Religion and healthcare do not mix.

87. TOM DUNNE
Musician
I am pro-life , very, but am voting Yes. I have two little girls. I want them to grow up in a country where, if at some point they become pregnant, they can get the care, advice and support they need at home, amongst doctors, nurses and experts who are local to them. I do not want them exposed to the nightmare scenarios that greet so many women in this country. We, my wife and I, are raising them to be responsible human beings. When they reach maturity I hope they will be capable of being responsible for all aspects of their health and happiness. You have to trust them and I will.

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88. Mary Stokes
Singer & Songwriter
As a feminist and an independent-minded, strong Irish woman, I believe in the capacity of other Irish women to take the responsibility to make the absolutely devastatingly difficult decisions regarding abortion, with the support and advice of their medical professionals, and with the humanity of an Irish society operating with understanding, empathy, and providing the supports that need to be in place to avoid this unfortunate reality, where possible.
I support the campaign to repeal the 8th Amendment to the constitution and I ask you to Vote Yes!

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89. harry bookless
Carriages
According to news reports, 150,000 young people still aren’t registered. And I’ve heard reports of young men who think the 8th Amendment doesn’t concern them. To be honest, I’d never even heard of the 8th when I was a young man and certainly didn’t think I had anything to be worried about. But then time passes, and you start to see people close to you starting families, and you hear about pregnancies not going to plan. You eventually start a family of your own. You learn just how long nine months is when you’re waiting for each next scan. You realise just how lucky you are to make it through without any complications... because so many people don’t. The 8th Amendment will affect you unless it’s repealed this month.

90. SEBASTIAN BARRY
Writer
I am not sure a man can legitimately comment on an issue that patriarchy has largely bedevilled since the birth of the state. The 8th Amendment was only a further step in the decommissioning as it were of a woman’s autonomy and power to make her own decisions. Even so a man can and many did bear witness to the suffering, confusion, and trauma of friends who found in their greatest moment of need only rejection, silence, and a sort of implacable mumbo-jumbo of ideas pertaining to what people thought women should do. In other words people wishing to think for women, because women in crisis obviously could not be trusted to make decisions for themselves. We had to lay down a restrictive, dangerous, even murderous line of coercion and denial. But every woman should be the queen, the empress, and the chieftain of her own story, her own body, her own present, and her own future.