Minister denies confusing repeal issue, says vote may be held in June

Employment Affairs Minister Regina Doherty denies that Government figures are “muddying the waters” over the referendum on the Eighth Amendment and has also suggested that the vote might now go ahead in June.

Clarifying comments where she said the Government could lose the referendum, the Fine Gael minister said those ministers advocating repeal will be out campaigning for a yes vote.

However, the Irish Examiner understands that no official decision has been taken by Fine Gael about campaigning or funding for a referendum position, with just weeks before the wording is published. Officials with Fine Gael’s national executive have not discussed this and no funding has been set aside for any campaign.