Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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180. To ask the Minister for Health if he supports abolishing the 12-week limit for abortion care on request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19883/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health commenced the Review of the operation Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 in line with statutory and Government commitments. The Review, led by an independent Chair, assesses the extent to which the Act’s objectives have, or have not, been achieved. Recommendations to address any barriers identified have been suggested within the Report. The Report, which was informed by service users, healthcare professionals and the views of the public, was submitted to the Minister for Health in recent weeks. It makes a range of recommendations most of which are operational in nature, with some proposing legislative change.

The Report was considered by Cabinet on April 25th. The Government has agreed that the HSE will establish an implementation group to progress the operational recommendations. The proposals recommending legislative changes are to be referred to the Joint Committee on Health for consideration. The outcome of these deliberations will inform further discussion on these issues.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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181. To ask the Minister for Health if he supports decriminalisation of abortion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19884/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health commenced the Review of the operation Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 in line with statutory and Government commitments. The Review, led by an independent Chair, assesses the extent to which the Act’s objectives have, or have not, been achieved. Recommendations to address any barriers identified have been suggested within the Report. The Report, which was informed by service users, healthcare professionals and the views of the public, was submitted to the Minister for Health in recent weeks. It makes a range of recommendations most of which are operational in nature, with some proposing legislative change.

The Report was considered by Cabinet on April 25th. The Government has agreed that the HSE will establish an implementation group to progress the operational recommendations. The proposals recommending legislative changes are to be referred to the Joint Committee on Health for consideration. The outcome of these deliberations will inform further discussion on these issues.