Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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500. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in 2018 in relation to the review of the abortion legislation, his predecessor promised a comprehensive evaluation of the law, data and operations (details supplied); the reason the review being carried out appears to be an internal, Departmental coordinated review with no oversight from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health or an independent chair; the reason for the departure departed from the original commitment; if he will commit to the original plan for an external and independent review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27140/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Section 7 of the Act states that “The Minister shall, not later than 3 years after the commencement of this section, carry out a review of the operation of this Act."

The review is being progressed this year and will be led by an independent expert. It is anticipated that it will take a three-part approach to reviewing the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Research to inform the service user and service provider strands will be commissioned and carried out independently, and a public consultation will be held.

Upon completion, a full report, with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.

I have held a number of meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss the approach for the review; this will be finalised in due course.