Ireland – Lack of action on State’s abortion law shows ‘political cowardice’

MON, 15 JAN, 2024
CIARA PHELAN, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said it will be “cruel” and “political cowardice” if the Government decides against removing a three-day waiting period to access abortion services.

Ms Cairns has called on Government to deal with the recommendations from the final review into the State’s abortion law, authored by barrister Marie O’Shea, which recommends significant changes.

Continued: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41309473.html


Free contraception provision expanded in Ireland

BBC
Mon, January 1, 2024

A scheme offering free contraception in the Republic of Ireland has been expanded. Since its launch in 2022, the programme has offered free contraception to women, girls and people who identify as transgender or non-binary.

Initially open to those aged 17 to 25, the scheme's age limit was increased last year to 30. From Monday, it is also open to women aged 31.

Continued: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/free-contraception-provision-expanded-ireland-084149291.html


Ireland – Calls to urgently implement Safe Access Zones for abortion services after protests

Sun 1 Oct 2023

Michael Bolton

Healthcare workers, abortion campaign groups and members of the public have contacted the Department of Health calling for it to implement safe access zones for abortion services.

The Department received 19 requests for Safe Access Zones since January 2022, according to documents seen by breakingnews.ie under the Freedom of Information Act.

Protests held outside medical centres and hospitals, and targeting people accessing abortion services were of concern, according to emails sent to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

Continued: https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2023/10/01/calls-to-urgently-implement-safe-access-zones-for-abortion-services-after-protests/


Ireland- Dáil votes to fully decriminalise abortion

Legislation providing for the complete decriminalisation of abortion and the abolition of the mandatory three-day waiting period before an abortion can be carried out has been approved by TDs.

1 JUN 2023
Bríd Smith

The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Bill 2023, introduced by People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith, was approved by 67–64 with eight abstentions after government TDs were given a free vote.

A proposal by health minister Stephen Donnelly to delay the progress of the bill for a year to allow the Oireachtas health committee to fully consider the recommendations of a recent review led by Marie O’Shea BL was defeated by a greater margin of 74–61 with three abstentions.

Continued: https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/dail-votes-to-fully-decriminalise-abortion


Ireland – Abortion system could collapse, says researcher involved in review of laws

Dr Deirdre Duffy identifies issues around conscientious objection and spread of services and is concerned her findings will not be shared

Jennifer Bray
Mon Apr 3 2023

Elements of Ireland’s abortion system are “not sustainable” in their current form and the service could collapse, according to a researcher involved in a review of the State’s laws on terminations of pregnancy.

Dr Deirdre Duffy, now at Lancaster University, and a team of researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University were appointed by the Government to carry out a study looking at the experience of abortion service providers such as hospital staff and GPs.

Their research has identified issues around guidance on conscientious objection as well shortcomings in the spread of services available around the country and the availability of staff and facilities in hospitals.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/social-affairs/2023/04/03/abortion-review-researcher-fears-termination-service-could-collapse/


‘Extremely reckless’: Anti-abortion campaign calls for remote consultations to stop

During Covid pandemic, women seeking abortions did not need to visit GP in person

Sarah Burns
Sat Nov 12 2022

An anti-abortion campaign has described plans to continue remote consultations for women seeking access to abortion care in the State as “extremely reckless”.

Women seeking an abortion during the coronavirus pandemic did not need to visit a GP in person, but this measure was due to lapse following the end of Covid 19 travel restrictions.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2022/11/12/extremely-reckless-anti-abortion-campaign-calls-for-remote-consultations-to-stop/


Ireland – In-patient charges for under-16s scrapped and free contraception for some women

21 July 2022

In-patient charges for under 16s are to be scrapped and free contraception is to be provided to women aged 17-25 in the Republic of Ireland.

Currently, there is a €80 per night charge for most non-exempt public patients, including children and there is a small charge for contraception.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwxqpqjz2eo


Ireland – People accompanying women for abortion could be breaking proposed safe access zones law

Officials suggest Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill could impact friends and partners of women seeking abortions

SUN, 20 MAR, 2022
AOIFE MOORE, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Partners, relative, or friends accompanying a pregnant woman to have an abortion could be breaking the law if they offer advice or support inside a proposed safe access zone, a review has found.

Departmental advice sent to the Oireachtas health committee in relation to the Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021, notes it could pose unforeseen difficulties for pregnant women and gardaí.

Continued: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40833002.html


Ireland – ’Frightening’ language and no abortion information: Warning issued over rogue pregnancy services

Women who have inadvertently engaged with these groups have found the experience “extremely distressing”.

January 17, 2021

THE HSE HAS issued a warning about unregulated crisis pregnancy services which present themselves as unbiased but have an anti-abortion stance.

A number of these services have profiles on social media and also advertise with stickers and posters in Dublin and other locations.

Continued: https://www.thejournal.ie/unregulated-crisis-pregnancy-services-in-ireland-5650166-Jan2022/


Ireland – Expert to review abortion laws three years after referendum

Total of 6,577 abortions last year represents slight decline on first year of service in 2019

August 17, 2021
Jennifer Bray

An independent expert is to be appointed to review Ireland’s abortion laws three years after the country voted in a landslide referendum to allow terminations in certain circumstances.

The Termination of Pregnancy Act provides for a review of the legislation three years after its implementation.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/expert-to-review-abortion-laws-three-years-after-referendum-1.4648690