Legislative Reviews

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2022

Thursday, 27 October 2022

Ceisteanna (291)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

291. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 20 October 2022, if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) is carrying-out the second phase of the termination of pregnancy legislation review; if he will speak directly to the initial phase which included a report submitted by a UK university on service providers’ experiences of the implementation of legislation; if he will clarify whether this report from the university will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53985/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in line with statutory and Government commitments in December 2021. The Review will assess the effectiveness of the operation of the legislation and will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

The Review has two main phases.

The first phase is comprised of a three-part appraisal of the operation of the Act, focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation.

The second phase of the Review is being led by an independent Chair, Marie O’Shea BL, who will assess the extent to which the objectives of the 2018 Act have been achieved, including an analysis of the findings of Review’s first phase.

A final report will be submitted to me as Minister in late 2022 for my consideration.