Legislation on abortion to be brought to Cabinet today

MINISTER for Health Simon Harris will today bring legislation to Cabinet to provide for the regulation of termination of pregnancy in Ireland.

And exclusion zones around hospitals providing abortions will be part of the package, following a demonstration at the Rotunda maternity hospital after the passing of the referendum in May.

Minister Harris had committed to bringing this to Cabinet before the summer recess and thus fulfils that pledge – although legal challenges to the referendum outcome will have to be cleared away before it can become law. The Bill mirrors the fundamentals of the general scheme for such a law, which was published in advance of the referendum. The exclusion zones are included in what are termed ‘a few minor additions’.

Minister Harris will outline to Cabinet his intention to legislate for ‘safe access zones’, areas around premises where abortion services are provided, so that patients and staff can go without fear of intimidation or harassment, and without being subjected to posters or protests.

He will also inform Cabinet that it is his firm view that cost cannot be a barrier to accessing these services, and that he’ll proceed on that basis.

Two applications for leave to object to the referendum result are under way. It will not be possible to introduce the legislation into the Oireachtas until they have concluded.

However, work continues on the preparations for the introduction of abortion, including clinical guidelines. A source said last night that it remained the Government’s intention to make terminations available from January of next year.