The Citizens' Assembly has to replace the Eight Amendment, with a provision giving explicit power to the Oireachtas to legislate for abortion, the rights of the unborn and the rights of pregnant woman.
Member selected this option over replacing the 8th amendment a new provision that explicitly deals with abortion by 51 to 38.
Sean Reidy reports on the day's events:
Earlier The Citizens Assembly voted to amend or replace the abortion clause in the constitution rather than repeal it.
50 members voted for the 8th amendment to be replaced or amended, compared to 39 who wanted it repealed.
Two members voted for the third option of "prefer not to say".
#CitizensAssembly Ballot 2 Result: 56% of the members have voted that Article 40.3.3 should be replaced or amended
— Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) April 22, 2017
In the first vote of the day, the Assembly voted by 87 per cent not to retain the Eighth Amendment as it currently stands.
The 99 citizens have been asked to make a recommendation to the Oireachtas on whether the Eighth Amendment should be retained, amended or repealed.
Chair of the Citizens Assembly Justice Mary Laffoy says the outcome could lead to a referendum:
#CitizensAssembly Ballot 1 Result: 87% of the members have voted that Art 40.3.3 should not be retained in full
— Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) April 22, 2017
