Minister for Health welcomes completion of Safe Access Zones legislation in the Oireachtas
-
From: Department of Health
- Published on: 1 May 2024
- Last updated on: 16 September 2024
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is pleased to announce the completion of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 in the Seanad. The legislation has already completed all stages in the Dáil.
The Health (Termination of Pregnancy) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 will now be referred to Uachtarán na hÉireann for his consideration.
The legislation will create Safe Access Zones of 100 metres from an entrance or exit to a premises where obstetricians/gynaecologists and general practitioners provide services. This will include consulting rooms, family planning clinics and women’s health clinics.
Within those zones, certain conduct aimed at impeding access or influencing decisions in relation to termination of pregnancy services will be prohibited.
Minister Donnelly said:
“The fundamental premise of this Bill is about respect. It is about dignity. It is about ensuring that people can access healthcare services and feel safe and not be intimidated.
“It aims to ensure that our friends, colleagues, and family members are treated with consideration and empathy at a time when they need care.
“I have listened to women, to families, to health care professionals who unequivocally expressed their support for this Bill.
“I am pleased that we have reached this milestone. I would like to thank all those involved in getting to this stage – Members of Dáil and Seanad Éireann for their contributions to the debates and also colleagues in the HSE, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice, An Garda Siochána and officials in my department for their input.
“The Bill will now be referred to the President for signature and I look forward to enacting it as soon as possible.”
The Zones will also apply to hospitals that provide acute inpatient services within the meaning of Section 51 of the Health Act 1970.
Within those zones, certain conduct aimed at impeding access or influencing decisions in relation to termination of pregnancy services will be prohibited.