Ireland: The Abortion Bill passes the first house

FEATURE - Ireland: The Abortion Bill passes the first house
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International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion.
11 December 2018

Abortion bill passed by a large majority

On 6 December 2018, the lower house of the Irish parliament passed the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill at midnight with a vote of 90 for, 15 against, and 12 abstentions, after hours of debate and consideration of 60 amendments, almost all of which were voted down with large majorities. Minister of Health Simon Harris remained in strict control throughout the process, rejecting amendments by pro-choice members to make the bill less restrictive and by conservative/anti-abortion members to make it more restrictive, claiming throughout that he was determined to give the people the bill he promised before the referendum on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution in May. A small number of conservative members fought till the end, talking at length each amendment. Then, finally, it was passed. It moved the very next morning to the upper house. Ivana Bacik, a Labour Party member in the upper house, said she thought it very likely that the bill would become law before the holiday recess later this month.

Continued: https://mailchi.mp/safeabortionwomensright/feature-ireland-the-abortion-bill-passes-the-first-house-11-december-2018?e=372dd34034


Ireland – Government expects to design ‘opt-in’ GP system for abortion

Government expects to design ‘opt-in’ GP system for abortion
Doctors not participating will be obliged to refer patients elsewhere for treatment

June 12, 2018
Sarah Bardon Political Reporter

The Government is expected to design an opt-in system for medical professionals willing to provide abortion services and allow doctors conscientiously object to providing the care.

The legislation to regulate the termination of pregnancy, in line with the decision made in last month’s referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment, is being considered by the Attorney General Séamus Woulfe’s office.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/government-expects-to-design-opt-in-gp-system-for-abortion-1.3527090


Ireland – Abortion: Taoiseach says around 60 GPs can provide service

Abortion: Taoiseach says around 60 GPs can provide service
Varadkar is not concerned that GPs might seek to block roll-out of abortion next year

June 11, 2018
Simon Carswell

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he thinks 50 or 60 GPs would be sufficient to carry out abortions given that just six women in Ireland seek medical abortions every day.

Mr Varadkar insisted no GP would be forced to perform a termination of pregnancy against a conscientious objection but if they object, they must refer patients on to GPs who will.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/abortion-taoiseach-says-around-60-gps-can-provide-service-1.3526634