Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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115. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that are being taken to vindicate the right to travel abroad to obtain an abortion enshrined in article 40.3.3 of the Constitution in view of news that Miss Y travelled to the UK seeking an abortion but was turned away because of her immigration status; and if she will report on changes that her Department is seeking to make in view of this case to assist the most vulnerable women, particularly migrants, with crisis pregnancies. [43830/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that I fully appreciate the degree of sensitivity required when handling applications from women who find themselves in this very distressing situation. As I have indicated previously, there are specific procedures in place which facilitates travel abroad to obtain an Irish travel document.

In my previous reply on Wednesday 24th September to Parliamentary Question No 31 from the Deputy I outlined that there is a process in place to assist such women to avail of the necessary visas and travel documents as detailed in a good practice manual entitled 'Standardised Framework for Crisis Pregnancy Counsellors' which was revised last year in conjunction with INIS as part of a review of the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme.

As the Deputy is aware, the Health Service Executive has appointed a four person Inquiry Team to establish all the factual circumstances in relation to the case of Ms. Y and the chain of communication between different service providers. The inquiry team seeks to establish the full acts surrounding the matter including the sequence of events and the care given to the woman involved. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further prior to the publication of the Inquiry Team Report other than saying that I will, of course, take on board any recommendations arising from the review insofar as they relate to my Department's functions.

In relation to any decisions taken by Immigration Authorities in other jurisdictions, to grant or refuse entry, as the Deputy will appreciate this is entirely a matter for the relevant authorities in that jurisdiction and I have no role in these matters.