Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 June 2023
201. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the protests at Limerick maternity hospital, which are causing distress to people trying to access medical care; if he will take immediate action to implement the safe access zone legislation; and if he will provide a definite date for when this will happen. [29981/23]
View answerI am committed to ensuring that anyone seeking a termination of pregnancy can access services in safety and with privacy & dignity. To this end I secured cabinet approval to legislate for the designation of safe access zones around healthcare premises to safeguard access to termination of pregnancy services on the 27 July 2022.
Since that time, officials from my Department have worked with the Office of the Attorney General, and other relevant stakeholders, to draft the text of the bill. This legislation is currently being finalised and will be progressed through the Houses in the coming weeks.
