Health Committee to meet Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to discuss abortion legislation review

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is due to address the meeting. 

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House at 9:30am. 

A review clause was included in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to monitor the operation of the legislation in practice and the delivery of services in the area. 

The repeal of the Eighth Amendment in 2018 saw the enactment of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act in 2019. 

The act provides for abortion on request up to 12 weeks, and only in extremely limited circumstances after 12 weeks: Emergencies, when pregnancy poses a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health of the pregnant person, or when a condition is likely to lead to death of foetus before or within 28 days of birth. 

Earlier this year, Minister Donnelly announced that the review would involve three strands, namely research with service users, service providers and a public consultation. 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Seán Crowe said: “Section 7 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 provides for a review of the legislation no later than three years from commencement." 

“This upcoming review of legislation is an important opportunity to assess how we can improve the current system. Tomorrow’s meeting will allow us to hear from the Minister regarding his views on the scope and structure of the review, and the role that the Committee can play in this regard."

Watch the meeting live here.