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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Safe access zones and abortion rights

Summary

Deputy Smith marked International Safe Abortion Day and linked it to wider reproductive rights abroad and safe access zones at home. The Tánaiste outlined Ireland’s overseas support for women’s health and said the safe access zones legislation would now progress to committee.

Today is International Safe Abortion Day. Last night's healthy vote on moving forward on the safe access zones is to be welcomed. International Safe Abortion Day has huge relevance for many countries, including Malawi which I visited during the summer as part of a delegation to look at reproductive rights of women and girls. In one of the poorest countries in the world, crippled by IMF debt, this is a huge issue that kills thousands of young women and girls every year. It is not part of my question. I am just talking about the relevance of improving reproductive rights for women and girls. I have two questions for the Tánaiste, following on from last night's vote. Will the Government prioritise moving on the safe access zones legislation as quickly as possible? What is the real intention of the Government in relation to the review by Marie O'Shea on the need to extend the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to include removing the three-day wait, to decriminalise abortion and to ensure that the provision of abortion is not a lottery in this country and does not depend on where one lives or how much money one has in one's pocket?

Comment on this
Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

We are way over time. I ask colleagues to try.

Comment on this

First of all, globally, in terms of women's reproductive rights, Ireland, through its work on overseas development assistance and with other member states in the EU, does a lot of work in supporting the health and well-being of young girls and women across Africa and across many of the developing states. We work with the Clinton Foundation as well in that regard. In many locations, we have achieved very good outcomes in terms of reducing death, injury and ill-health.

In terms of last night's vote, the legislation will now progress to committee. It will be a matter for the Oireachtas, obviously, and the Minister to progress the legislation through the committee system of the Oireachtas. The Minister outlined to the House his plans and the steps he will take in respect of the report that the Deputy referenced.

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