Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2016
176. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the implementation to date of the requirement in section 5(b)(iii) of the Regulation of Information (Services outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995 that crisis pregnancy information, counselling and advice are truthful and objective; the details with regard to his announcement of a review of that Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40277/16]
View answerA wide range of service providers provide advice and information about pregnancy including health professionals, counsellors and crisis pregnancy agencies. The Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act, 1995 defines the conditions under which information relating to abortion services lawfully available in another state might be made available in Ireland. Sections (3) and (5) of the 1995 Act provide that information on termination of pregnancy must be "truthful and objective", section (10) provides that a breach of section (3) or section (5) is an offence. If an individual(s) considers that information provided under the Act is not truthful and objective then they may refer the matter to the Garda for investigation.
These provisions are already on the Statute Book and it is important that people with concerns about the veracity of information given out by service providers are aware that there is an existing basis for having their concerns investigated.
The review that my Department will undertake of the 1995 Act will examine if the provisions of the Act need to be strengthened or clarified.
