Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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456. To ask the Minister for Health if he can clarify when legislation will be in place to ensure there are safe zones to protect women and medical staff in health settings facilities to ensure they can access or provide abortion services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23807/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to ensuring that anyone needing a termination of pregnancy can access services in safety and with privacy and dignity.

The purpose of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022 is to ensure safe access to termination of pregnancy services for women, service providers and their staff throughout the country. Government approved the General Scheme on 27th July 2022 and it was published on 5th August 2022.

Drafting of this legislation is now at an advanced stage and I expect to bring a final draft of the Bill to Cabinet in the coming weeks and progress it through the Houses thereafter.