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Abortion Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Questions (565, 576)

Clare Daly

Question:

565. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the operation of a three day waiting period for women who will seek abortion services in view of a discrepancy between his previous statements and that of the chief medical officer. [54166/18]

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Ruth Coppinger

Question:

576. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if the details of the mandatory waiting period under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 will be clarified by guidelines in order to give surety to those seeking to terminate a pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54231/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 565 and 576 together.

As the Deputies are aware, Section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 provides that a termination of pregnancy may be provided after a period of not less than three days has elapsed from the date on which a medical practitioner has certified that the pregnancy concerned has not exceeded 12 weeks of pregnancy.

My Department provided written clarification on the operation of this section of the legislation to the HSE in December, ahead of the service for termination of pregnancy commencing on 1 January 2019.

In practice, under section 12 of the Act, the day on which the doctor certifies that the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks counts as the first day. The termination may then be carried out after the third day has "elapsed". For example, if the woman visits the doctor and the doctor certifies that the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks on a Monday, then Monday counts as the first day. Tuesday and Wednesday are the second and third day. Once Wednesday has "elapsed" the termination may take place, so it may be carried out at any time on Thursday.

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