Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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45. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of times reports, statements or other documents authored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have contained the term “sexual and reproductive health and rights” (SRHR) from the period 2016 to date in 2025, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45708/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The term Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’, or SRHR, is used on a regular basis in texts that relate to development cooperation and human rights. For Ireland, these include references in A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development; the annual Irish Aid reports; responses to Parliamentary Questions; and, in national statements such as those delivered by elected representatives or senior diplomats representing the State at UN assemblies.

Development cooperation is integral to Ireland’s foreign policy and our priorities are set out in A Better World. This policy recognises that access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights is fundamental for transforming women's health outcomes, and for gender equality more broadly. Ireland aligns fully with the EU consensus position on sexual and reproductive health and rights, which recognises the need for universal access to quality and affordable comprehensive sexual and reproductive health-care services, for all.

In September 2023, then Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, approved a new initiative on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in fulfilment of the commitment framed in A Better World. Recognising that SRHR encompasses a broad range of issues and activities, the initiative consolidates Ireland’s long-standing commitment to improve maternal health, prevent sexual and gender based violence, and end the epidemic of HIV and AIDS.

The initiative commits to scaling action to reduce unmet need for contraception among adolescent and young women, including those in humanitarian crises where an unintended pregnancy can equate to a death sentence. With 700 pregnant women dying from preventable causes, on a daily basis, Ireland’s sustained efforts on SRHR, including in humanitarian settings, will help save lives for at-risk women and girls.