Abortion Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2019

Tuesday, 28 May 2019

Questions (264)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

264. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason it is the policy of medics in the National Maternity Hospital to recommend abortion of a healthy unborn child due to an alleged misdiagnosis at the hospital; if the policy of abortion as a recommendation is in place in other locations nationally; if he will instruct the HSE to develop a policy that abortion is not recommended to mothers here (details supplied); the steps he will take to ensure that a similar case will not reoccur; and the investigations being undertaken by his Department into the circumstances of the case. [22576/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Section 11 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 sets out the law on access to termination of pregnancy in cases where there is a condition present affecting the foetus that is likely to lead to the death of the foetus before or within 28 days of birth.

The Minister's overriding concern in this case is for the couple involved and respecting their privacy.

The Minister notes that an appropriate external review is warranted into the matters that arise here and the steps that are being taken to have an independent review of this case conducted.

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.