Written answer
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
1046. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health to provide data in relation to the extent of the alarming rise in coercive abortion in Ireland; and if she will outline plans to examine the problem, determine its scale and identify measures to help bring an end to this form of violence against women and their unborn babies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34205/26]
Comment on this
Medical practitioners providing termination of pregnancy services are obliged to comply with the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics. The Guide includes information on the principles underpinning consent and the importance in ensuring that patients have given full and informed consent prior to a procedure or examination.
The HSE’s National Consent Policy, revised in December 2022 also contains extensive guidelines for health practitioners and includes information on decisions made under duress. These apply to all medical procedures, including termination of pregnancy.
There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that arise.