Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
769. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to change the clinical guidance in relation to abortion to enable those persons who initiate legal abortion care before 12 weeks to be provided with continuity of medical care by the HSE until their abortion completes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42042/20]
View answer770. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the assessment being undertaken in relation to reports that failed medical abortions in Ireland resulted in the pregnant person being forced to travel to the UK for healthcare in 2020; the number of such instances since the enactment of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42043/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 769 and 770 together.
Section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 states that a termination of pregnancy may be carried out by a medical practitioner where, having examined the woman, he or she is of the reasonable opinion formed in good faith that the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The medical practitioner must certify this opinion and three days must elapse between certification and the procedure being carried out.
It should be noted that sections 9, 10 and 11 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 set out other grounds on which termination of pregnancy is permitted in this country.
Changes to Clinical Guidelines for the provision of termination of pregnancy services, within the legal framework set out in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, are a matter for the relevant professional medical bodies.
Notification forms submitted to the Minister under section 20 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 do not require the detail the Deputy is seeking to be included on the form or notified to the Minister.
