Abortion legislation drafting
Deputy Ruth Coppinger urged that the abortion Bill avoid unnecessary visit requirements, be trans-inclusive and address conscientious objection. Deputy Simon Harris said the Government was preparing the legislation, would publish it in July, and could not introduce it until legal issues were resolved; he also said exclusion zones and some other matters would be dealt with separately.
The abortion legislation is being drafted and a lot of us do not want to table amendments because we want to see it being progressed. However, vital issues have to be incorporated. There is speculation that three visits will be required to be made by a person who may be pregnant and wants to have an abortion - two at the beginning and one afterwards. That is completely unnecessary and it would add to the cost. It would also be unnecessary medically. It must also be trans-inclusive, as we are drafting legislation in an era in which there is better understanding of gender. Conscientious objection must not prevent any pregnant woman from having access in a region or a geographical location. There should be an opting out, rather than an opting in. On the issue of safety, pregnant women in hospitals are being picketed. This will certainly be an issue once we legalise abortion. We have to be mindful of the need for a buffer and safety zone around hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries, not to prevent industrial action or legitimate protest but to protect people's safety, including staff.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for her constructive engagement on this issue. Yesterday there were issues about when we could introduce the legislation in the House. After the marriage equality referendum the Marriage Bill could not be introduced in the Oireachtas until 15 September, when applications for leave to lodge petitions to challenge the result of the referendum were finally determined on appeal. Leave to lodge a petition had been refused on 30 July. We will prepare the legislation and be ready to go as soon as we are legally able to do so.
Comment on this
We will publish it before the summer recess, but we cannot introduce it here until the legal issues are resolved.
Comment on this
Will it be in July or during the summer recess?
Comment on this
We will publish it in July, but the legal advice is that we will not be able to introduce it in the Oireachtas. That is line with the marriage equality legislation, as well as the Adoption (Amendment) Bill which was not introduced until 3 May 2015. The Bill will be transgender-inclusive and we will also be dealing with the issue of exclusion zones. Other matters are for inclusion in the clinical guidelines, but I will welcome submissions in that regard.