Health service is compounding trauma of crisis pregnancy
- Government has a duty to legislate
Labour Senator and Oireachtas Health Member Annie Hoey has described the current provision of abortion care in Ireland as shambolic.
Senator Hoey said:
“We need to act now and legislate for the changes that are needed to the provision of abortion care in Ireland. As it stands, the State is compounding the trauma experienced by women during crisis pregnancies. The Health Committee heard harrowing testimonies from women of all walks of life who have struggled to receive the care they needed.
“Fine Gael must buck up and implement the changes proposed by the independent review of our abortions laws, including an immediate end to the draconian and paternalistic three day wait period for accessing services.
“Marie O’Shea, who chaired the independent review of our abortion law, has countered the narrative constructed by the Government that changes to the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018 is somehow not allowed, or is unfaithful to our mandate as legislators.
“It is simply not true to say that the Government is prevented from legislating on important health matters – the opposite is the case. It is their duty.
“There’s no time for further delay, Minister Donnelly must prioritise legislating for the much needed changes like the removal of the three day wait period and a more compassionate and workable approach to fatal foetal abnormalities. Compassion in a crisis is what people campaigned on and voted for in 2018. Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens cannot row back on their promises to the women of Ireland.”