Call to Action: Contact your Fine Gael TDs

April 29, 2016 - Contact your TD, Politics and Lobbying, Repeal the 8th - no comments

Call to Action: Contact your Fine Gael TDs

telltdslider

 

 

More than 60 days after the General Election, negotiations about government formation are ongoing. At present, the most likely outcome looks to be a Fine Gael minority government, supported by Independent TDs and Fianna Fail in opposition.

In their 2016 General Election manifesto, Fine Gael committed to establishing a Citizens’ Assembly, within six months, to examine issues relating to the 8th Amendment and “establish if a broad consensus can be reached on future change”. Worryingly, recent media reports have suggested that Independent TDs may refuse to support the government if this promise is included in the Programme for Government.

Over the next week, ARC is asking our supporters to email their Fine Gael TDs urging them to ensure this commitment to establish a Citizens’ Assembly to examine the 8th Amendment is included in any Programme for Government.

A sample email is below, but we encourage you to personalise your message and make sure to include your full name and address so that your TD knows they are hearing from a constituent.

 

Dear Deputy [SURNAME],

 

Congratulations on your recent election to Dail Eireann. As a constituent, I am writing in relation to Fine Gael’s commitment to establish a Citizens’ Assembly to examine issues relating to the 8th Amendment of the Constitution (Article 40.3.3), as outlined in your party’s 2016 General Election manifesto.  

 

I have been following the ongoing negotiations surrounding government formation and am extremely concerned by recent media reports that the above commitment will not be included in the Programme for Government.

 

This is a very important issue to me as a voter and I urge you to represent the views of your constituents on this matter within the Fine Gael parliamentary party, and strongly advocate for the inclusion of a Citizens’ Assembly in any Programme for Government. The recent Amnesty/Red C public opinion poll illustrates that there is widespread support for constitutional reform in this area. According to this poll, 87% support wider access to abortion and 72% believe abortion should be decriminalised. Only 5% were opposed to abortion in all circumstances.

 

I look forward to your reply.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

[FULL NAME]

[ADDRESS]

 

Who are my Fine Gael TDs?

To find out who your Fine Gael TDs are go to https://www.whoismytd.com/ and simply enter your home address.

 

What is my TDs email address?

A TDs email address will be [email protected] (for example:[email protected])

 

A full list of contact details for TDs is also available on the Oireachtas website.

 

What next?

If you’ve sent an email – thanks! If you receive a reply from your TD, please forward it to [email protected]

 

If your Fine Gael TD uses Twitter, you could send them a tweet to let them know you’ve been in touch about this important issue.