Written answers
Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Department of Health
Abortion Services
Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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177. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of protesters currently outside Limerick maternity hospital that are causing distress to people going to medical appointments, workers, local residents and so on; if he will clarify when exactly the safe access zone legislation will be in place; if he will respond immediately to the urgent need expressed by people trying to access healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29913/23]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to ensuring that anyone seeking a termination of pregnancy can access services in safety and with privacy & dignity. To this end I secured cabinet approval to legislate for the designation of safe access zones around healthcare premises to safeguard access to termination of pregnancy services on the 27 July 2022.
Since that time, officials from my Department have worked with the Office of the Attorney General, and other relevant stakeholders, to draft the text of the bill. This legislation is currently being finalised and will be progressed through the Houses in the coming weeks.
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