Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. I imagine he is working in the Department, but I do not know. In any event, the Senator will be aware that the Front Bench cover try to do the best they can to get information to Members. I totally agree that nobody should be harassed, insulted or intimidated in any way, frankly, at any healthcare setting but particularly involving a matter of such sensitivity. People should not have their decision to access lawful healthcare services subject to attempted influence in an unsolicited way by strangers or, indeed, persons who are not strangers.

Progressing safe access zones legislation is a priority for the Minister and the Government, and is certainly a priority for me. To this end the general scheme of a Bill was published in August 2022. Work on the finer detail of the legislation is ongoing and the Department continues to engage closely with the Office of the Attorney General and all relevant stakeholders, including An Garda Síochána. Both the Minister and the Department are committed to finalising the Bill as expeditiously as possible.

Cabinet approval was secured in July 2022 to legislate for the designation of safe access zones around healthcare premises to safeguard access to termination of pregnancy services. The general scheme of the health (regulation of termination of pregnancy (safe access zones)) Bill was published in August 2022. A formal Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General, in consultation with the Department. I understand that pre-legislative scrutiny is ongoing, and the last hearing was held with departmental officials on 18 January 2023, six weeks ago. That is the best update I can provide to the Senator at this point.