Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
708. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health whether proposals to 'decriminalise' performing terminations of pregnancy would permit non-medically trained individuals to carry out terminations without legal consequences. [31044/23]
View answerIn line with statutory and government commitments I initiated the Review of the Health(Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy)Act 2018 in late 2021.
The final Report of the Review was submitted to me as Minister at the end of February 2023. The Report makes a range of recommendations most of which are operational in nature with some proposing legislative change. The Government has agreed that the HSE will establish an implementation group to progress the operational recommendations while those proposing legislative change have been referred to the Joint Committee on Health for their consideration.
Given the Committee’s cross-party composition and oversight role in relation to the health service, it represents an effective and appropriate forum to consider the changes proposed. It is important to allow them to complete their deliberations.
