Podcast: Repeal the Eighth campaigners on strategy and ‘shrillness’

Inside Politics: Prominent supporters join Hugh Linehan to discuss rejection of criticisms

At the recording of the Inside Politics podcast were, from left, Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell; Amnesty International Ireland executive director Colm O’Gorman; Ailbhe Smyth, convenor of the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, and podcast host Hugh Linehan.
At the recording of the Inside Politics podcast were, from left, Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell; Amnesty International Ireland executive director Colm O’Gorman; Ailbhe Smyth, convenor of the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, and podcast host Hugh Linehan.

The campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution enjoys popular support in opinion polls and the dedicated efforts of progressives, but some have criticised how the campaign relating to abortion rights is communicating its message to the middle ground.

On this episode of Inside Politics, three prominent supporters of the campaign join Hugh Linehan to talk about why they reject such criticisms, the campaign's strategy and what lessons can be learned from the success of the same-sex marriage referendum campaign.

Thanks to participants Ailbhe Smyth, convenor of the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, and Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell.

Declan Conlon

Declan Conlon

Declan Conlon is head of audio at The Irish Times