The Union of Students in Ireland has issued a call on the State's political parties to make a public commitment on holding a referendum on repealing the eighth amendment.
Article 40.3.3 (the Eighth Amendment) of Bunreacht na hÉireann acknowledges the right to life of the unborn with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother.
In a statement released today, the USI called on the next government to repeal the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 and replace it with laws that ensure “safe and legal access to abortion, at a minimum, in cases of rape, incest, risk to health or fatal foetal impairment”.
The union is also calling for a repeal the Regulation of Information (services outside the State for the termination of pregnancies) Act 1995 as well as any related censorship laws.
USI president Kevin Donoghue said: "Irish women should have access to free, safe and legal abortion services, at the very least when a woman's life is at risk - including from suicide, and in cases of rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality."
“Access to free, safe and legal abortions in Ireland is critical to advancing gender equality and the position of women in Irish society. USI is calling on the next government to put this to a referendum and let the Irish people decide,” he said.
UK Department of Health statistics for 2014 show that approximately one quarter of women who give Irish addresses when availing of abortion services in the UK are aged between the ages of 18-24.
“The cost of travelling to the UK is too restrictive,” said Mr Donoghue.
“It is out of reach for many young women. The legal penalties for abortion in Ireland and a failure to provide access to free, safe and legal abortion has taken its toll on generations of women,” he added.
