Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
480. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 832 of 11 July 2023, the estimated number of religious buildings which can avail of the exemption outlined in section 3 of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44640/23]
View answer481. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1724 of 11 September 2023, the scope of his engagement with Taillte Éireann, the information was elicited from this engagement, and how this informed the drafting of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44641/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together.
I am committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services.
Officials from my Department engaged with what was formerly known as Ordnance Survey Ireland, now Tailte Éireann Surveying, and other relevant stakeholders to develop the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023. The involvement of Tailte Éireann Surveying, was limited to the provision of technical advice on matters related to mapping and of how such safe zones might be visualised.
This Bill will designate Safe Access Zones of 100 metres from an entrance or exit to a premises where obstetricians/gynaecologists and general practitioners provide services. The Zones will also apply to hospitals that provide acute inpatient services within the meaning of Section 51 of the Health Act 1970. Within those zones certain conduct aimed at impeding access or influencing decisions in relation to termination of pregnancy services will be prohibited.
It is recognised that this is a complex area of the law seeking to balance competing constitutional rights. The overarching aim of the legislation is to ensure that the effect on the rights of those affected is proportional to the objective sought to be achieved.
With this in mind there is a specific exemption under Section 3 of the Bill for places of religious worship. Place of religious worship is defined for the purposes of the Bill as a building that is used for religious worship, and to which the public have access whether as of right, or by permission, and whether subject to or free of charge.
