Abortion numbers and policy
Deputy McGrath raises the record number of abortions in 2023 and criticises the post-referendum regime. The Tánaiste replies that the people decided in referendum and says Government must uphold that decision, while pointing to contraception and education measures.
Ar an gcéad dul síos, I wish the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and all the staff throughout the House the best for the summer season.
The Department of Health released the total number of notifications received last year for abortions carried out in Ireland. It showed there were 10,033 abortions in 2023, the highest number on record since the law changed in 2019. That figure represents a chilling 250% increase on the 2,879 abortions that happened in 2018, the year before the law changed.
Senior members of the Government who oversaw the introduction of the new abortion regime promised, like what happened in America, that it would be rare if people voted "Yes" in the referendum. People did vote "Yes" - 66% of them - many on the understanding it would be rare, legal and safe. What has happened? The floodgates have opened. Women in unplanned pregnancies need to be provided with information on alternatives to abortion. That has to become a priority for the Government.
Comment on this
The people decided in the referendum and governments and political parties of all persuasions must uphold the decision of the people in terms of legislating for what was decided in a constitutional referendum. That said, a range of measures have been provided for and funded. Free contraception up to the age of 35 is a significant measure and an enhancement of what went before. There have been many interventions in education and so forth in dealing with this issue. There has been a substantial reduction in teen pregnancies, for example, because of a range of measures.