Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach will agree that access to women's reproductive healthcare is essential to well-being, in particular that of women and girls. I say this as we mark this week the tenth anniversary of the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar. Of course, since then, we have seen the repeal of the eighth amendment and the introduction of very welcome abortion legislation in this jurisdiction. The announcement yesterday by the UK's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that the British Government would commission abortion services is welcome but also long overdue because women have for so long been denied access to basic healthcare.

I was glad to attend today the timely launch by the National Women's Council of Ireland of the new report Every Woman, setting out an overview of access to reproductive healthcare and choice for all. This report highlights the continued gaps in abortion healthcare, even in this jurisdiction. We in the Labour Party put forward a submission to the public consultation on the review of our abortion laws in March, calling for the repeal of the three-day waiting period and for better geographic coverage so that women in all counties can access services.

I was glad to launch the conference of the Southern Taskgroup on Abortion and Reproductive Topics, START, on 1 October. START is a group of doctors providing front-line services that was initiated by Cork-based GPs, obstetricians and gynaecologists. Doctors are seeking to ensure there is a stronger network across the country, and we are seeking to ensure strengthened access to reproductive healthcare once the review has concluded. Given that the consultation closed on 1 April, can the Taoiseach say when we will see progress on the reform of our abortion law to ensure greater access for women?

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