Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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429. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised concerns with his Polish counterpart regarding the recent rolling back of sexual and reproductive rights for women and girls in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12552/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The recent changes to laws concerning abortion in Poland are of great concern to many people in Poland and the EU more generally. We hope that the Polish authorities will pursue a compassionate and fair approach to this issue, taking into account the important issues that have been raised in response to the recent developments.

Ireland has its own recent experience of these issues and we have seen major changes in recent years. Our experience in Ireland in achieving broad consensus in this area is something we are proud of and always willing to engage on with others.

The Government engages regularly with our Polish counterparts, at Ministerial and official level. We will continue this engagement across this and a broad range of issues, including where it pertains to the protection of women’s sexual and reproductive health and issues of gender equality.