Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says yesterday was ‘Ireland’s second chance’

We're still buzzing.

Yesterday, Ireland officially voted to repeal the eighth amendment of the constitution. The law made abortion illegal in Ireland except where there was a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother. 66.4 percent of people voted 'Yes' to repeal the eighth amendment in yesterday's referendum, with 33.6 percent voting 'No' to retain the amendment. 1,429,981 people voted to repeal the amendment. According to Today FM, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the Yes vote was "Ireland’s second chance to treat everyone equally."

Fantastic crowds at Dublin Castle. Remarkable day. A quiet revolution has taken place, a great act of democracy. pic.twitter.com/MLtzkSkdLw

— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) May 26, 2018

Following the result, the Taoiseach said: "Today is an historic day for Ireland. A quiet revolution has taken place, and a great act of democracy. "A hundred years since women got the right to vote. Today, we as a people have spoken. And we say that we trust women and we respect women and their decisions. "For me it is also the day when we said 'No More'. No more doctors telling their patients there is nothing that can be done for them in their own country. "No more lonely journeys across the Irish Sea. No more stigma. The veil of secrecy is lifted. No more isolation. The burden of shame is gone."

Today, we made history. Retweet if you’re proud of our country. #RepealedTheEighth #RepealedThe8th pic.twitter.com/PSBvn3gsbf

— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) May 26, 2018

He also wanted to thank the people of Ireland for going out and voting. Above all, I would like to thank the citizens for coming out and voting in such numbers. "Listening to the arguments on both sides over the past few weeks I was struck by what we had in common, rather than what divided us. " "Everyone deserves a second chance. This is Ireland’s second chance to treat everyone equally and with compassion and respect."