Since independence in 1922,
a series of
oppressive and discriminatory laws
based on religion have been inflicted on all Irish citizens,
believers or non-believers.
The main oppressive laws were gradually dismantled in the 1970s-90s.
For many of them (such as censorship)
there was no single dramatic moment of liberation.
For others (such as homosexuality)
there was no final vote on the issue.
The 1985 vote to legalise contraception for unmarried people
was probably the single most dramatic vote
in the decades-long campaign to separate church and state.
It is hard to think of a better "roll of shame"
than those who voted against this fundamental right
- the right to safely have sex before marriage.
I think this is the most embarrassing vote by Irish politicians of my lifetime
(at least,
until 2009).
If you can think of a more embarrassing vote by Irish politicians
in the last 40 years,
let me know.
Those Irish politicians that are still active in politics are hyperlinked.
Contraception was legalised for unmarried people in the
Health (Family Planning) (Amendment) Act
1985.
The final vote was on
21 Feb 1985.
See Irish Times,
22 Feb 1985.
Dail members voting against were:
The blasphemy law is the most
absurd and embarrassing vote by Irish politicians since 1985.
When I was a teenager in the 1980s, contraception was illegal for all unmarried people.
The Irish government
arrested anyone who sold contraception to young people.
Now, the Irish government has an agency to promote contraception.
Video from
thinkcontraception.ie,
from the
Crisis Pregnancy Agency.
