Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

A review of our abortion law was concluded by Marie O’Shea nine months ago. Her report could not have been clearer. Among the recommendations she made was that the mandatory three-day waiting period be removed, the threatened criminalisation of doctors ended and far more clarity given on providing abortion in cases of foetal abnormalities. Instead of acting on the report, the Government kicked it over to the health committee. That committee sent a report back to Government before Christmas recommending it proceed with all the recommendations, but nothing has happened. Why? Women waited long enough for abortion services in this country. There is no reason we should wait any longer for much-needed improvements to the law. Women do not want condescending barriers to healthcare baked into the legislation or to have to travel abroad for healthcare, particularly in traumatic times, and no one wants their doctor to work under the threat of criminal sanction. The Government should not want any of that either. When will it amend the law?

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