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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Termination of pregnancy waiting period

Summary

Louise O'Reilly says the new abortion legislation is creating a four-day waiting period rather than the stated three days. The Taoiseach says he has not seen the letter she mentions and believes the period is three days, possibly less than 72 hours, and will check it.

They are on the streets.

Comment on this
Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I will accommodate other Deputies on the basis that they are brief. I want Deputy Louise O'Reilly to set an example.

Comment on this

I will do my very best by talking quickly. The ink was not even dry on the Health Regulation (Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 when we saw a letter from the chief medical officer, CMO, making clear that the three-day period the Government included in the legislation was not recommended by the committee and will, in fact, be four days. This is in direct contradiction to what the Minister for Health told me on the record when he said three days would mean three days. We now find out that women will have to wait until the third day has elapsed, which makes the waiting period four days, as Ms Ellen Coyne reported today in The Irish Times. I have been contacted by members of campaign groups who feel extremely let down. We did not want the three-day waiting period to be included in the Bill but agreed that it was necessary. It was a political construct, not a medical necessity. Now it emerges that the period will be four days, which will represent a significant barrier to access. Who is right on this, the Minister or the chief medical officer?

Comment on this
Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I am afraid I am at a loss. I have not seen the letter from the CMO, but my understanding was that the period was three days, which could be less than 72 hours. It is not necessarily three full days.

Comment on this

That was my understanding too. I will provide the Taoiseach with a copy of this, because it is very worrying.

Comment on this
Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I will check it out. I thank the Deputy.

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