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

I welcome the news that the review of Ireland's abortion law has been completed. Will the Taoiseach commit to its immediate publication? We have learned that the review group, chaired by Ms Marie O'Shea, has recommended a more compassionate approach to the provision of reproductive healthcare. We understand it supports one of the measures we called for in our submission, that being, the removal of the patronising and unworkable three-day wait from the legislation. The State should not inflict more trauma and stress on women who are experiencing crisis pregnancy.

I also query what the Government plans to do following publication of the report. As I said, we are looking for its immediate publication. I see reports that a special Oireachtas committee might be established on foot of the review. That might not be necessary. The Joint Committee on Health could engage in pre-legislative scrutiny of any legislative changes that will arise from the report's findings. It would be unnecessary to delay an evidence-based approach to amending the law based on the findings of this report. Can we see imminent publication and swift movement on the recommendations of the report?

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