Who we are

The Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment is a growing alliance of over 80 organisations including human rights, feminist and pro-choice organisations, trade unions, health organisations, NGOs, community organisations and many others. Our members agree that the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution must be repealed in order to respect and protect the lives, health and choices of women in Ireland. We are working together under the Coalition banner to raise awareness of the urgent need for a referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Our steering group meets monthly, and Coalition member organisations nominate up to two representatives to attend meetings.

What is the Eighth Amendment?

Article 40.3.3, known as the Eighth Amendment, was voted into the Irish Constitution by referendum in 1983. The amendment states:

‘The state acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.’

The amendment equates the life of a pregnant woman* with that of an embryo or foetus and has created an unworkable distinction between a pregnant woman’s life and her health.

Why should the Eighth Amendment be repealed?

The presence of the Eighth Amendment in the Irish Constitution is a source of discrimination against all women living in Ireland. It creates a discriminatory health system where a pregnant woman only has a qualified right to health care. International human rights organisations have repeatedly taken the state to task for its draconian abortion regime, observing that it violates women’s right to bodily integrity and self-determination.

* While we use the term woman here and in our literature, the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment recognises that not everyone who needs an abortion is a woman. We support access to abortion for everyone who needs it be they cis, trans or gender fluid.