Health Committee supports findings of Termination of Pregnancy Review

The recommendations, which were mainly operational in nature, were approved by the Government, and the HSE is now working on the implementation of them. However, a number of the recommendations would involve amending legislation, and these were referred to the Joint Committee on Health for consideration.

The Joint Committee did not seek to come to a conclusion on each individual legislative recommendation contained in the review. Rather, it considered the recommendations together as an overall package.

Mr Seán Crowe, TD, Cathaoirleach of the Committee, said that “it is essential that the termination of pregnancy legislation is operating as intended and that women are able to gain access to the services without obstacles or delay. I believe that the review presented an opportunity to ensure that this is achieved.”

The Cathaoirleach added “together with the provisions of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill, 2023, which the Committee recently considered, the implementation of the recommendations of the review will go towards ensuring that the 2018 Act meets the needs of women seeking to avail of services for the termination of pregnancy.

The Committee is now anxious that all of the recommendations of the review – both operational and legislative, are implemented without delay.

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