Abortion is legal in Ireland—but the fight isn’t over

Abortion is legal in Ireland—but the fight isn’t over
Groups like ours helped fight for inclusive, accessible healthcare. Together, we achieved a culture change. But there's a phenomenal amount still to do

by Anna Carnegie
January 10, 2019

Last year, on May 25th 2018, the Irish public voted emphatically to repeal the country’s constitutional ban on abortion and enable the passage of legislation to provide abortion on request up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, and in limited circumstances thereafter.

The months since the referendum were a whirlwind of court challenges, parliamentary debates, marches, and media coverage. Finally, on the 13th December, the Irish senate passed the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018, paving the way for a new law and signifying a much welcome, and long overdue, step forward. On the 20th, President Michael D Higgins signed the bill into law.

Continued: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/other/abortion-is-legal-in-ireland-but-the-fight-isnt-over

Ireland – First widespread administration of abortion pills likely to take place today

First widespread administration of abortion pills likely to take place today
Law requires at least three days elapse between a consultation and a termination

Jan 7, 2018
Paul Cullen

Today marks the day when Ireland’s new abortion service gets under way in earnest, with the first women likely to receive their medication in GP surgeries around the State.

With legislation requiring that at least three days elapse between a consultation with a doctor and a termination, a woman who visited a GP surgery that reopened last Wednesday, January 2nd, would have been due to take mifepristone, a drug that stops the pregnancy, on Saturday.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/first-widespread-administration-of-abortion-pills-likely-to-take-place-today-1.3749467

Ireland – About 20 women sought terminations on first working day of abortion service

About 20 women sought terminations on first working day of abortion service
Exact level of demand for abortion service will not be known for some weeks

Jan 2, 2019
Paul Cullen

The first consultations for women seeking an abortion have taken place since the service became legal on January 1st.

GPs, who have opted in to providing terminations, say they are aware of about 20 women from across the country who sought terminations on the first working day of the service on Wednesday.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/about-20-women-sought-terminations-on-first-working-day-of-abortion-service-1.3746230

02.01.2019

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Cork University Maternity Hospital

Dr Mike Thompson

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Health Service Executive

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My Options helpline

three-day waiting period

Apprehension on all sides before launch of Irish abortion services

Legislation and logistics have been fast-tracked to turn last May’s vote into reality

Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent
Tue 1 Jan 2019

Ireland is poised to roll out its first regular abortion services in the coming weeks in the wake of the referendum vote to lift the country’s near-total ban on abortion.

Politicians and officials fast-tracked legislation and logistical preparations to turn last year’s landslide vote in favour of liberalisation into reality for women who wish to terminate pregnancies.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/01/apprehension-on-all-sides-before-launch-of-irish-abortion-services

FEATURE: Brilliant Letter to Irish Minister of Health Simon Harris

from the Abortion Support Network, London
19 December 2018

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6 December 2018

Dear Mr Simon Harris

You and I don’t know each other, although I follow you on Twitter. We share a common area of interest, or, if not interest, a common duty to protect.

I am not a health official or a medical professional. I am the founder of Abortion Support Network (www.asn.org.uk), the England-based charity that provides information on the least expensive methods of abortion and travel and money towards the E500 to E3000 it can cost to travel and pay privately for the procedure. We are a small organisation, without an office or a land line, and since we started in 2009 we have helped almost 5,000 people. The majority have been resident in the Republic of Ireland.

Continued: https://mailchi.mp/safeabortionwomensright/feature-brilliant-letter-to-irish-minister-of-health-simon-harris-from-the-abortion-support-network-london-19-december-2018?e=372dd34034

Ireland – Abortion services only available on fourth day

Abortion services only available on fourth day

Ellen Coyne
December 18 2018

Women seeking an abortion will have to wait three full days for the procedure, the chief medical officer has clarified. Angry pro-choice TDs said they had been led to believe that women would get an abortion on the third day and not have to wait until the fourth.

Abortion will be legal in Ireland from next month. There was controversy about the enforcment of a three-day waiting period between a doctor agreeing that a woman can have an abortion, and the procedure.

Continued: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/abortion-services-only-available-on-fourth-day-lswr9r8w6

Ireland – Abortion campaigners hail ‘historic day’ but eye changes

Abortion campaigners hail ‘historic day’ but eye changes
Activists celebrate but urge full decriminalisation and removal of three-day wait period

Dec 13, 2018
Jennifer Bray

Ailbhe Smyth heard around 4pm that there was a possibility that legislation clearing the way for abortion in Ireland could pass earlier than the expected 10pm finishing time.

She hopped on a Luas and headed to the city centre to make her way to Leinster House. Following years of effort, this was not a moment to miss. She was not alone.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/abortion-campaigners-hail-historic-day-but-eye-changes-1.3730715

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 – Abortion legislation in the Seanad – it’s not going to be easy

Abortion legislation in the Seanad - it's not going to be easy

Sunday, 9 Dec 2018
By Ailbhe Conneely, RTÉ News Political reporter

On Wednesday evening, as the clock ticked towards to midnight, the report stage of the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill completed its journey through the Dáil.

It was an historic occasion for pro-choice politicians who campaigned for the introduction of abortion services.

For opponents the fight continues.

Continued: https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2018/1207/1015880-abortion-legislation-seanad/

09.12.2018

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abortion bill in the Seanad

amendments to Irish abortion law

Catherine Noone

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Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill

Ronan Mullen

Simon Harris

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Ireland – Ronan Mullen pledges to ‘fight the good fight’ in Seanad abortion debate

Ronan Mullen pledges to 'fight the good fight' in Seanad abortion debate

Friday, December 07, 2018
By Daniel McConnell

Health Minister Simon Harris is set to reject amendments to his controversial abortion legislation when it is debated in the Seanad on Monday.

Concerns have been expressed by senators on both sides of the debate with pro-life opponents to the bill criticising attempts to rush the legislation through, while pro-choice senators have expressed concern over elements of the bill as currently drafted.

Continued: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/ronan-mullen-pledges-to-fight-the-good-fight-in-seanad-abortion-debate-890661.html