Minister for Health announces Safe Access Zones now in effect
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 17 October 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has announced that the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 has come into effect.
From today, Safe Access Zones are in operation within 100 metres of the entrance or exit to premises where a general practitioner, obstetrician or gynaecologist provides services. This includes general practitioner clinics and family planning clinics as well as acute hospitals.
The law ensures that people who access termination of pregnancy services can do so in safety and with dignity, without fear of influence or intimidation.
Within Safe Access Zones, certain conduct aimed at impeding access or influencing decisions in relation to these services is now a criminal offence. Anyone prosecuted for this offence and found guilty may face fines and/or imprisonment.
The legislation contains a requirement for a “Garda warning” as a precursor to the commission of an offence. This will ensure that people who are at risk of offending are made aware that they are engaged in prohibited conduct and that continuation of this conduct will amount to an offence.
This mechanism ensures that people have an opportunity to regulate their behaviour and avoid a criminal sanction.
Minister Donnelly said:
"I am today confirming that this hugely important legislation has come into effect. At its core is the need to support and protect people who need to access termination of pregnancy services.
"Patients who require these services are now legally protected from unsolicited influence, intimidation and pressure with a 100-metre zone of relevant healthcare premises. At a time when they are most in need of empathy and consideration, this law provides them with privacy and security.
"Getting to this point has been a long process with extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders. I’m very pleased that we have reached this milestone in providing people with protections they deserve at a time when they need it most. I would like to thank all those involved in getting the legislation to this point."
Notes
This commencement of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024, delivers on a longstanding government commitment to ensure that anyone needing a termination of pregnancy (TOP) can access services in safety, with dignity and privacy.
The legislation also sets down specific exemptions for:
- otherwise lawful protest within 100 metres of the Houses of the Oireachtas
- conduct which would otherwise be lawful, which occurs within a public place (building) of worship, and
- anything done by a relevant healthcare provider or any person employed by, or acting on behalf of, a relevant healthcare provider in the course of the provision of healthcare services
Penalties arising for offences under the Bill, may be prosecuted summarily, and include fines and/or terms of imprisonment for up to six months. Penalties have been provided on an escalating basis where harsher penalties may apply for repeat offences.