Brendan Griffin
Ceist:184. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to abortion law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59212/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 1 December 2021
Ceisteanna (184)
Freagraí scríofa
On 25 May 2018, a referendum was held on the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, where the people voted overwhelmingly in favor of deleting Article 40.3.3 in its entirety, and substituting an article in the Constitution, the object and effect of which is to articulate clearly the principle that laws may be enacted by the Oireachtas to provide for the regulation of termination of pregnancy.
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas on 13 December 2018 , signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. The Act sets out the law governing access to termination of pregnancy in Ireland. It permits termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman, including in an emergency; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022. The review of the operation of the Act is being progressed this year, in line with statutory and Government commitments, and will conclude in 2022.
The review, which will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review. An opportunity will be provided for interested groups, organisations, and members of the public to provide their views to inform the review.
Upon completion, a full report with any necessary recommendations will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.