UCD STUDENTS’ UNION ADVOCATES FOR A YES VOTE TO REMOVE ‘BLASPHEMY’ FROM THE IRISH CONSTITUTION

PRESS STATEMENT

Wednesday, 24 October 2018

UCD STUDENTS’ UNION ADVOCATES FOR A YES VOTE TO REMOVE ‘BLASPHEMY’ FROM THE IRISH CONSTITUTION

On 26 October the people of Ireland will vote on whether to remove the Word ‘Blasphemy’ from Article 40.6.1.i of the Irish constitution. UCD Students’ Union is supporting a YES vote in this important referendum.

Currently the constitution states that ‘The publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter is an offence which shall be punishable in accordance with law.’ A successful YES vote will see the reference to Blasphemy removed changing the wording to ‘The publication or utterance of seditious or indecent matter…’

UCD Students’ Union is advocating for a YES vote as our constitution states that ‘every union member shall be entitled to freedom of opinion and expression.’

Niall Torris, Graduate Officer, UCD Students’ Union says;

‘A YES vote sends a strong message that our laws must reflect Ireland’s status as a fair, progressive democracy in the international community. Most importantly, a YES vote stands for freedom of opinion and expression - a freedom we must all defend.’

VOTE YES ON OCTOBER 26TH