Claire Byrne Live is never without tension but last night's episode is under the spotlight after its debate of the Eighth Amendment between leaders from both sides of the campaign.
The panel on the Yes side includes Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou Mac Donald, TogetherForYes Orla O'Connor and Doctor Peter Boylan, Chair of the Institution of Gynaecologists. The No side panelists included Iona Institute spokesperson Maria Sheen, Doctor John Monaghan and Mary Butler from Fianna Fáil.
Viewers took particular offence to audience members on the No side cheering during the panel's discussion of tragic and hard cases including a brain-dead woman who was kept on life support, against her family's wishes, to continue the life of the unborn child.
If you audibly “Whoop” at a law forcing a 12 year old rape victim to carry a traumatising pregnancy to term just so you can pretend Ireland is an idyllic Catholic wonderland please get into the sea you’re so fond of people having to cross. #Cblive #repeal
— Rachel Bermingham (@rach_bermingham) May 14, 2018
The No side Doctor disagreed on the issue of women dying because of the Eighth Amendment which was met with disbelief from the Yes side. Doctors, who would be assisting women throughout their pregnancies or an abortion, opinions became the most untrusted during the debate and Twitter was shocked. Of the 2000 plus GPs in the country, over 80% agree that the 8th does not protect the life of the mother:
Genuinely shocked by Dr. John Monaghan's unprofessionalism. Notice @drboylan did not feel the need to stoop to the level of personal insult to make his point #cblive
— Barry Singleton (@DrBSingleton) May 14, 2018
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Many viewers were worried about women experiencing a crisis pregnancy watching stigma and shaming bubble to the surface of the debate. One woman in the audience spoke about how the lead campaigners on the No side are not only opposing the introduction of abortion but education around contraception and sex education:
This debate is an absolute unwatchable car crash. Audience out of control. Panellists' time feels unbalanced. Claire Byrne doing a shocking job. Horrid viewing. #cblive
— Susan ? (@susanbrodigan) May 14, 2018
The Iona “Institute” of which Maria Steen is part of, talk about protecting children and mothers, yet they actively campaigned against the rights of children of gay couples during the marriage equality referendum. They certainly didn’t care about children then. #cblive
— Una Mullally (@UnaMullally) May 14, 2018
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What a pile of shite #cblive was. I thought Claire Byrne would do a good job mediating the debate but it so quickly descended into a shouting match with a No voter being given a mic at every turn.
It is not representative of what we hear on the doors. We will win. #Together4Yes
— VOTE YES (@greeneggs_) May 14, 2018
I'm loath to criticise a TV presenter because they've a hard job but Claire Byrne has had a shocker. That was one of the most unbalanced debates I've ever seen allowed. The time granted unchallenged to 'No' and particularly Maria Steel is unreal. Completely lost control #cblive
— Tom O'Connor (@twpoconnor) May 14, 2018
i’m just. so so sorry that people with disabilities / mental health issues and just women in general have had to sit through such dehumanising and frankly traumatising “debates” about our right to autonomy and even just our existence in general over the course of this campaign
— aoife the VOTE YES fairy (@nimfeachuisce) May 14, 2018
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Articulate and compassionate, Mary Lou Mac Donald was the real winner of the debate with non-Sinn Feinn voters appreciating her composed outlook on the matter:
Interesting that @MaryLouMcDonald not just doing a great job for the Yes side tonight but also, I reckon, making lots of people look at Sinn Fein differently. #CBlive
— Alison O'Connor (@alisonoconn) May 14, 2018
This debate is an absolute unwatchable car crash. Audience out of control. Panellists' time feels unbalanced. Claire Byrne doing a shocking job. Horrid viewing. #cblive
— Susan ? (@susanbrodigan) May 14, 2018
Not a SF supporter and I never thought I’d say this but Mary Lou is kicking ass and taking no prisoners. Go Mary Lou!! #cblive
— Lisa Murphy (@ThornbushSA) May 14, 2018
The vote on the Eighth Amendment will take place next week. Voters will be asked to decide whether or not to remove the Eighth that equates the life of the unborn to a woman thus allowing for legislation around abortion to be introduced. To watch the episode in full click here.
