Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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715. To ask the Minister for Health when he will introduce the safe access zone legislation in order that women availing of legal services can do so in peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29664/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to ensuring that anyone seeking a termination of pregnancy can access services in safety and with privacy & dignity. To this end I secured cabinet approval to legislate for the designation of safe access zones around healthcare premises to safeguard access to termination of pregnancy services on the 27 July 2022.

Since that time, officials from my Department have worked with the Office of the Attorney General, and other relevant stakeholders, to draft the text of the bill. This legislation is currently being finalised and will be progressed through the Houses in the coming weeks.