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--:-- Sean Rameswaram: Welcome to Today Explained. I'm Sean Rameswaram.
--:-- Noel King: And I'm Noel King.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: Today, we're talking about Ireland's abortion referendum. Sarah Bardon is a political correspondent for the Irish Times. Sarah, thanks for joining us.
--:-- Sarah Bardon: Thanks for having me.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: So, let's start with the basics. What's at stake in this referendum?
--:-- Sarah Bardon: The referendum is about repealing the Eighth Amendment, which bans abortion in Ireland. If it passes, it will allow for abortion up to 12 weeks without specific indications.
--:-- Noel King: That's a big change. And it's not just about abortion; it's also about women's rights and reproductive health.
--:-- Sarah Bardon: Exactly. And it's a conversation that's been happening in Ireland for decades, but it's finally come to a head.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: The Catholic Church has been a major player in this debate. How has it influenced the conversation?
--:-- Sarah Bardon: The Catholic Church has a significant influence in Irish society, and it's been vocal in its opposition to abortion. But it's not just the Church; there are also anti-abortion groups that have been active in the campaign.
--:-- Noel King: And there are also pro-choice groups, like the Together for Yes campaign.
--:-- Sarah Bardon: Yes, that's right. And it's been a really intense and emotional campaign.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: I've been reading about the history of abortion in Ireland, and it's fascinating. Can you tell us a bit about that?
--:-- Sarah Bardon: Well, abortion was illegal in Ireland until the 1990s, when a woman named Savita Halappanavar died after being denied an abortion. That case really galvanized the movement for abortion rights in Ireland.
--:-- Noel King: And there have been other cases, like Miss Y and Miss P, that have also highlighted the need for abortion reform.
--:-- Sarah Bardon: Yes, those cases were really important in raising awareness about the issue.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: Now, I want to switch gears a bit and talk about something completely different. Johnny Harris, a reporter here at Vox, told me that this show convinced him to get a Quip electric toothbrush.
--:-- Johnny Harris: Yeah, that's right. I was listening to a previous episode of this show, and I was convinced by the dirtiness of my regular electric toothbrush. So, I went to getquip.com slash explained and ordered one.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: And you upgraded to the Chrome metal version right away.
--:-- Johnny Harris: Yeah, I did. And I've been using it ever since.
--:-- Noel King: So, how's the Quip working out for you?
--:-- Johnny Harris: It's great. I've been brushing twice a day, and I feel like my teeth are cleaner than ever.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: That's great to hear. And I have to ask, have you traveled with the Quip?
--:-- Johnny Harris: Yeah, I have. It's really convenient to take on the go.
--:-- Noel King: And you're planning to take it with you on your next trip to Hong Kong.
--:-- Johnny Harris: That's right. I'm going to screw on the case and throw it in my suitcase.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: Well, we're glad to hear that the Quip is working out for you. And for our listeners, if you're interested in trying out the Quip, you can go to getquip.com slash explained.
--:-- Noel King: And Sarah, back to you. How do you think the outcome of this referendum will affect Ireland?
--:-- Sarah Bardon: I think it will be a really significant moment for Ireland. If the referendum passes, it will be a major change for the country, and it will send a message to the world about the importance of women's rights and reproductive health.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: And if it doesn't pass?
--:-- Sarah Bardon: If it doesn't pass, I think it will be a setback for women's rights in Ireland, but I also think it will galvanize the movement for abortion reform.
--:-- Noel King: Well, we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out. Thanks for joining us, Sarah.
--:-- Sarah Bardon: Thanks for having me.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: And thanks to our listeners for tuning in. If you want to learn more about the abortion referendum in Ireland, you can check out our show notes for more information.
--:-- Noel King: And don't forget to try out the Quip electric toothbrush. Go to getquip.com slash explained.
--:-- Sean Rameswaram: [Theme music starts playing]
--:-- Noel King: [Theme music continues to play]
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