The interim Justice Minister has said he is keeping an “open mind” on calls to end the three-day waiting period for abortions.
Simon Harris was speaking after the three-year review of Ireland’s abortion regime found the service to be 'untenable'.
The review, which has yet to be published, warns that just a 'handful of providers' in primary care and hospitals are carrying out terminations.
It also found the three-day ‘pause period’ before getting an abortion is not necessary.
The National Women’s Council has called for the waiting period to be scrapped; however, there is disagreement around the Cabinet table – with the Greens largely welcoming the report and the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste raising concerns around changing the legislation.
“The very purpose of reviews is that you can always check that the legislation is operating as it was intended to.”
Simon Harris says he is keeping an “open mind” on calls to end the three-day waiting period for #abortion. pic.twitter.com/QPssxjeYEb
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) April 26, 2023
Interim Justice Minister Simon Harris told Newstalk he has an “open mind” when it comes to changing the legislation:
“I am conscious that even this has evolved somewhat since the legislation was first mooted,” he said.
“So, my understanding now is that it is generally a phone call to a GP followed up by a visit.
“So again, I would like to hear more about how it is operating, how it is working.
“I am conscious that we are living in a country where there are around 8,000 abortions a year. We have seen a very significant improvement in access – and quite rightly so.
“The very purpose of reviews is that you can always check that the legislation is operating as it was intended to.”
“I am happy to see the Oireachtas Committee consider it and I’ll comment further on it then.”
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said the abortion referendum was won on the basis safeguards would remain in place.
He claimed many people will be shocked by the recommendations coming from the review.
“The Government obviously encouraged people to vote for abortion on the basis that there would be some safeguards for the unborn child within the legislation,” he said.
“Here we are a couple of years later and it looks like those safeguards are going to be deleted and those promises are going to be reneged on.
“I think people will be angry in relation to that.”
Minister Harris said the Abortion legislation included a “legal requirement for a review to take place after three years”.
He said the Oireachtas Health Committee must now be given time to consider the review.
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With reporting from Mairéad Cleary.
