Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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619. To ask the Minister for Health the research being carried out by his Department on the trauma, stress and psychological distress on doctors and nurses of delivering early-term and late-term abortions in Ireland (details supplied). [39534/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to the article published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology on ‘Fetal medicine specialist experience of providing a new service of termination of pregnancy for fatal fetal anomaly: a qualitative study'.

The research in question was not commissioned by my Department.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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620. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce changes to abortion procedures here to provide for pain relief in late-term abortions, medical treatment for abortion survivors and palliative care for abortion survivors; and if he will seek to make the procedure somewhat humane. [39535/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 sets out the law governing access to termination of pregnancy in Ireland. It permits termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The purpose of the legislation is not to dictate the practice of obstetrics. Medical practitioners are bound through professional regulatory mechanisms to operate in accordance with best medical practice.

It would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Health, to dictate medical procedures or treatment plans.