“A priority for me as Minister for Health is women’s healthcare and the provision of safe services for all women.”
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said he is “fully committed” to introducing safe access zones around healthcare facilities.
His comments come following a report in the Irish Examiner which said the Government had shelved promised laws to introduce safe access zones – where protests would be prohibited – outside maternity hospitals and clinics providing abortion services.
The report stated that the Department of Health would rely on existing public order law to police any protests outside these places.
However, in a statement, the Health Minister said: “As Minister for Health, I am fully committed to the introduction of legislation on safe access zones around our healthcare facilities. This commitment is in the programme for Government.
“It was originally intended to provide for safe access to termination of pregnancy services in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. However, a number of legal issues were identified which necessitated further consideration.
“Officials in the Department of Health continue to work with me to ensure safe access around medical facilities.
“I have also been engaging with a range of stakeholders and civil society groups in relation to the review of the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Act which is being finalised with a view to it starting in the coming weeks.”
Donnelly also said a priority for him as Health Minister is “women’s healthcare and the provision of safe services for all women.”
Safe access zones, also known as exclusion zones, have been introduced in other jurisdictions including in parts of the US, Australia, Canada and the UK.
Statement by @DonnellyStephen on exclusion zones around healthcare facilities
“As Minister for Health, I am fully committed to the introduction of legislation on safe access zones around our healthcare facilities. This commitment is in the Programme for Government.”
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— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) August 7, 2021
Leah Farrell/©RollingNews.ie
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