Ireland – Abortion legislation: Nurses petition Harris on opt out

Abortion legislation: Nurses petition Harris on opt out
Several hundred nurses and midwives appeal to Minister on conscientious objection

Tue, Nov 27, 2018
Jennifer Bray

More than 350 nurses and midwives have urged Minister for Health Simon Harris to open talks on provisions for conscientious objection in the forthcoming abortion legislation.

Mary Fitzgibbon, a nurse and midwife, said the group – who have signed a petition – want the right to object to providing services due to conscience. But they also believe they should not have to refer a woman on to another healthcare professional.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/abortion-legislation-nurses-petition-harris-on-opt-out-1.3712239


Ireland – Anti-abortion TDs’ push to make foetus burials ‘offensive’

Anti-abortion TDs’ push to make foetus burials ‘offensive’

Jennifer Bray, Ireland Deputy Political Editor
November 5 2018

Simon Harris has criticised attempts by a small number of TDs to make burials or cremations compulsory after a woman has an abortion.

Nine TDs want to amend the abortion bill to make it a criminal offence for a woman not to have a burial or a cremation after a termination, including in cases in which they had taken abortion pills prescribed by a GP at home.

Continued: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/anti-abortion-tds-push-to-make-foetus-burials-offensive-says-simon-harris-rn35kh50f


Ireland – Minister wants abortion services in place from next January

Minister wants abortion services in place from next January

Thursday, 21 Jun 2018
By Joe Mag Raollaigh

The Minister for Health has reiterated that he wants to introduce abortion services from January 2019.

Speaking at the AGM of the National Women's Council, Simon Harris said that there are a number of legal challenges to the referendum result and he respects the court must do its work.

Continued: https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2018/0621/972142-national-womens-council/