Ms Smyth says there is absolutely a mood for change since the referendum on same-sex marriage in May 2015.
Since then pro-choice groups have focused their attention on the abortion laws in the country and many believe now is the time to act.
Some religious groups have even been more welcoming of the possible changes to legislation. Giving merit to some of the concerns about the restrictive nature of Ireland’s law, particularly around risk of suicide to the mother and fatal foetal abnormalities.
Church of Ireland Archbishop Michael Jackson stated that although he advocated for the rights of the unborn child he said that there are some instances where an abortion should indeed be an option.
There are always exceptions to the rule according to the Archbishop, when the continuation of the pregnancy ‘poses a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother’.
Heidi Good from the Methodist Church agreed and stated four circumstances whereby an abortion should be available,
‘First, where the mother’s life is at risk; second, where there is risk of grave risk of serious injury to her physical or mental health; third, in cases of gross abnormality where it is incapable of survival; finally, in cases of rape or incest.’
Health Minister, Leo Varadkar from the Fine Gael party stated they he would vote in favour of legalising abortion for fatal foetal abnormalities. These conditions would make the law ever so slightly less restrictive.
Maria Steen from the pro-life group the IONA Institute stated that she believes that even a foetus known to be able to survive outside the womb should still be brought to term to ‘die comfortably’.
Ms Steen on The Pat Kenny Show expressed that she believed that Amnesty International was ‘scare mongering’ in their approach to condemning the abortion laws in Ireland. Ms Steen said that just because the majority wants to do something doesn’t make it the right thing to do.
In February 2016 Amnesty International published a Red C poll which found that 87% of Irish residents want access to abortion expanded and 72% want it decriminalised.
Although there is little known about the assembly at this point, If and when assembly produces a bill apparently both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will allow their caucus to vote as they please. Usually members of parliament must vote in line with their party’s policy. However Ms Harrold believes that the idea is essentially undemocratic,
‘Fundamentally we wouldn’t like it to be a vote, we’d prefer if we could just have these rights and then people who want to avail of them can and people who don’t obviously don’t have to’.