Latest: Harris says there is no room for complacency in abortion referendum
Minister for Health Simon Harris has said there is no room for complacency in the abortion referendum campaign.
Mr Harris, who is advocating for a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum on the Eight Amendment, made the comments an event today called 'Hear Me Out' which encourages people who have been affected by the provision to share their stories.
When asked about The Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll which found a slight drop in support for a Yes vote, Mr Harris said there is no room for complacency when it comes to those who are in favour of repealing the existing legislation.
"We always knew this was going to be tight, lots of referendums in this country on social issues are tight," he said.
He made reference to the divorce referendum and how only a few votes were in the difference.
"People who want social change, people who want to be able to look after and care for women in this country in a compassionate way need to get out and vote," he said.
Earlier: Poll finds slight drop in number who want to repeal Eighth Amendment
44% of people say they will vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment, according to a new poll.
That is a drop of three points since April but still 12% more than the 32% who say they will vote no.
The undecideds are at 17% - a drop of three points, while 5% say they will not vote.
The Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll was carried out among 1,200 people on Monday and Tuesday of this week.
Dublin remains the most pro-repeal part of the country, while older voters are still more likely to support the No side.
Solicitor and legal consultant for the Pro Life Campaign, Caroline Simons, says the poll is welcome news for the No side.
Ms Simons said: "I think people are working very hard on the ground. I think with each poll we have seen the No vote going up and we have seen the percentage voting Yes going down.
"So, I still think it's all to play for and I think with the commitment of everybody around the country we may just be able to get this across the line."
The Together For Yes campaign has said they intend to increase their campaign efforts after today’s poll.
Campaign Co-Director Orla O’Connor said: "Once again a national poll shows strong support for change amongst the Irish public. From the first moments of the campaign Together For Yes have said we expect this to be a tough campaign which involved robust debate and discussion on both sides.
"In the remaining days, we intend to redouble our efforts to show people that if they want to provide care and support for women in the most difficult circumstances they need to vote Yes.”
May 25th is a historic, once-in-generation opportunity to remove the Eighth amendment and to say goodbye to decades of this blunt Constitutional instrument causing harm and distress to women in crisis pregnancies.
"Therefore it is incredibly important that people get out and vote on Friday week to have their say on this critical question of whether we want to regulate access to abortion services for women in Ireland and provide them with the care they need at home.”
