This evening, RTÉ Investigates will broadcast an important report on Ireland’s abortion services. It will highlight the chilling effects of the continuing criminalisation of abortion; the fact that many are still forced to travel to have an abortion; and the damage caused by the three-day mandatory waiting period.
People Before Profit Dublin MEP candidate, Bríd Smith TD said “I welcome the RTE Investigates report. This programme performs an important role in highlighting the scandal of the continuing criminalisation of vulnerable women in need of abortion services and the damaging effects of the three-day mandatory waiting period. This demeaning three-day wait was imposed on women to mollify Fine Gael politicians who had to be dragged along to agree to any abortion rights in Ireland”.
Deputy Smith said “Minister Donnelly has had Marie O’Shea’s report on abortion services, a report he commissioned, for well over a year, and still nothing has been done in response. Hundreds of women are still having to travel abroad for abortion services due to the restrictive nature of the legislation here – that must stop.
The Minister must finally act and support my Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) ( Amendment) Bill 2023. My Bill provides for abortion on request prior to foetal viability; for abolition of the 3 day waiting period for abortion on request; to allow for abortion on grounds of fatal foetal abnormality that is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within a year of birth; to allow for abortion where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; and to decriminalise the provision of abortion”.
Deputy Smith added “The Minister has had Marie O’Shea’s report for over a year. My Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) ( Amendment) Bill 2023 was debated and passed by the Dáil in May of last year, yet women still wait. The Minister must act now”.