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# Flashback
Check out this abortion debate between William Binchy and Mary Robinson in 1983
The controversial 8th Amendment has just been passed and two heavyweights from the pro-choice and pro-life sides go head-to-head.
THERE HAS BEEN much talk in recent days about the 8th Amendment to the Constitution which has had far-reaching and unintended consequences for abortion in Ireland.
Amid calls for the amendment to be repealed after it emerged that a woman gave birth by caesarean after being refused an abortion under new legislation brought in last year, it’s worth revisiting the period 31 years ago when the amendment was passed.
A full, in-depth explainer on what the 8th Amendment can be found here.
But you should also check out this debate between two heavyweights of the pro-life and pro-choice movements shortly after the amendment was passed by a margin of 2-1 in September 1983
With Today Tonight presenter John Bowman are two constitutional lawyers, William Binchy (pro-life) and future president Mary Robinson (pro-choice), with Robinson in particular foretelling the problems that would emerge due to the way the amendment was worded.
Check it out:
Read: This Labour minister wants an abortion referendum… but says it can’t happen now
Explainer: What is the 8th Amendment?
