Friday’s referendum: End of the beginning, but no more

On Friday, the nation must decide on a proposal to make the most radical amendment to the Constitution in the 21st century by disengaging the rights of the unborn child from the legal framework on which Ireland is based.

Today, we mark that milestone with a supplement which captures the cardinal points of argument in recent years. This debate cycle began 35 years ago when the Eighth Amendment was enacted during a period of volatile party politics. Its introduction and existence is one of the characteristics which distinguishes Ireland from many other northern and western democracies.