Holly Cairns
Question:1435. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the date he is working towards for the second stage discussion of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2022. [13470/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 March 2023
Questions (1435)
Written answers
The Government is committed to ensuring that anyone needing a termination of pregnancy can access services in safety and with privacy and dignity and his commitment is reflected in the Programme for Government.
Progressing Safe Access Zones legislation is a priority for the Minister, and to this end the General Scheme of a Bill was published in August 2022. Work on the finer detail of the legislation is ongoing and in this regard the Department will continue to engage closely with the Office of the Attorney General, and all relevant stakeholders including An Garda Síochána with a view to addressing any issues that may arise and finalising the bill as expeditiously as possible.
The Minister secured Cabinet approval to legislate for the designation of safe access zones around healthcare premises to safeguard access to termination of pregnancy services in July 2022 and published the General Scheme of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy (Safe Access Zones)) in August 2022.
A formal Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Health. Pre-Legislative Scrutiny is ongoing, the last hearing was held with Department Officials on 18th January 2023.