Seanad debates

Tuesday, 6 July 2021

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Termination of Pregnancy Legislation

9:00 am

Photo of Paul GavanPaul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. It is good to hear that there will be an independent person appointed to lead the review. I would, however, appreciate a timeline for this because we are quite some way through the year at this point. I am also not clear about exactly how external the overall review will be so I am looking for some further reassurance in that regard. Fundamentally, the point I wish to make in the time available is that each day last year at least one woman had to leave this country to go to Britain for a termination.

There are a number of issues that arise in the context of the Act.There is no medical reason for the three-day waiting period and that is causing concerns. There are real concerns that women who are pregnant in circumstances where there are serious or fatal foetal abnormalities involved will run out of time in the context of the 12-week period.

There is also the major issue of access to services. We know that access is not there at present. I am an old-fashioned republican. I believe in a complete separation of church and State. We need to see full reproductive healthcare rights for women in this country. This review is urgently needed. It would be helpful if the Minister of State could provide a timeline.

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