Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Bill 2023

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The proposal would change Ireland’s abortion law to allow abortion on request before the pregnancy is viable, remove the mandatory three-day waiting period, and permit abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality. It would also allow abortion where the pregnant woman’s life is at risk or her health could suffer serious harm, and it would remove criminal penalties linked to providing abortions. In plain terms, it would make access faster, broader, and less legally risky for doctors and patients.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to provide for abortion on request prior to foetal viability; to abolish the 3 day waiting period for abortion on request; to allow for abortion on grounds of fatal foetal abnormality that are likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within a year of birth; to allow for abortion where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; and to decriminalise the provision of abortion.

Last updated 20 February 2025