John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

169. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure free access for women and unfettered access to clinics, hospitals and general practitioner surgeries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2168/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I assume the Deputy is referring to safe access for people attending at health services for the purpose of accessing termination of pregnancy under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.

It is my intention to introduce legislation to ensure safe access to premises in which termination of pregnancy services may be provided. The intention of the legislation would be to allow patients, service providers, healthcare staff and members of the public to enter such premises without fear of intimidation or harassment.

While it was originally intended to provide for such safe access in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018, a number of legal issues were identified during the drafting process. In order to allow full consideration of these issues, Government approved the drafting of a separate piece of legislation on safe access to health services.

Officials in my Department will work with the Office of the Attorney General on this legislation.