Minister of Health to take part in live debate tonight as campaigning continues

Miriam O'Callaghan and David McCullagh will host RTÉ's final television referendum debate between Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD and Prof. Mary Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician (Together for Yes) for the 'Yes' side and Cora Sherlock, Solicitor (Love Both) and Peadar Tóibín TD, Sinn Fein, for the 'No' side.

The programme will also feature contributions from the live studio audience of 90 people.

Meanwhile, both sides continue on the campaign trail today in a bid to win over voters with the so called 'hard case' issues continuing to feature prominently.

On the issue of rape cases, Cora Sherlock from the Pro Life Campaign said the experience of the woman at the centre of the C case illustrates why the 8th amendment should be retained.

In 1997, the then 13 year old rape victim was allowed to travel to the UK for an abortion following a high profile legal case.

But in a recent interview the now mother of two said she regretted the termination and was angry that it was being used to justify the repeal of the 8th amendment.

Miss C's story is often used by the YES campaign to advocate for their extreme abortion proposal.

What does she have to say?

"Don't bring me up for an ad for an abortion when I never wanted an abortion."
#LoveBothVoteNO: https://t.co/1Xr0Wfr5uf pic.twitter.com/kWTWzf6jv6

— LoveBoth (Official) (@lovebothireland) May 22, 2018

In a separate news conference the doctor who led the inquiry into Savita Halappanavar's death has said the hands of doctors are being tied by the 8th Amendment.

Ms Halappanavar, a 31 year old Indian woman who was 17 weeks pregnant, died at University Hospital Galway from sepsis, while suffering a miscarriage.

An investigation into her death found the 8th amendment played a role after her request for an abortion was denied.

At today's event Prof. Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, suggested it was the constitutional ban on abortion which prevented Savita from being treated properly.

'What held them behind was the fear that they might be prosecuted': Prof Sabaratnam Arulkumaran says the #EighthAmendment led directly to Savita Halappanavar's death pic.twitter.com/GBUOdokyIi

— Morning Ireland (@morningireland) May 22, 2018

His claims have been dismissed by the No side, however, who suggest Ms Halappanavar's case is being misrepresented.

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Trevor Hayes, who is part of the Doctors for Life organisation that supports retaining the Eighth Amendment, told Morning Ireland there were missed opportunities to treat Ms Halappanavar because the recognition of sepsis came too late.

Mr Hayes said that he believed the amendment was not a cause in Ms Halappanavar's death and that is was something worth protecting.

The law, he said, allowed him to recognise when there is risk to the mother and he does not have to "play medical roulette" or "worry about the Eighth Amendment" when practising obstetrics.

'I don't have to play medical roulette': Consultant obstetrician Trevor Hayes says he knows when a mother's life is in danger and the #EighthAmendment does not prevent him saving a woman's life pic.twitter.com/4H0eTbak3d

— Morning Ireland (@morningireland) May 22, 2018

Meanwhile, Health Minister Simon Harris has urged people to get out and vote, saying this referendum won't be decided by the people who stay at home.