Legislation to introduce Safe Access Zones outside facilities that provide abortions have been approved in all stages in the Dáil. 

The Health (Termination of Pregnancy) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 would introduce 100-metre “exclusion zones” within the facilities.

These healthcare facilities include GP practices, maternity hospitals, and family planning clinics. 

Now that the legislation has been approved in the Dáil, it will be considered by the Seanad. 

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the Bill ensures “safety, with dignity and privacy” for those who seek to get an abortion. 

“The introduction of Safe Access Zones will protect the freedom to access termination of services without impediment and the privacy and dignity of women accessing health services, as well as the service providers, and their staff in the course of their duties and responsibilities,” he said. 

“Nobody should be harassed, insulted or intimidated or have their decision to access lawfully available healthcare services subject to attempted unsolicited influence by strangers. 

“Discussions at each stage of the Bill were robust and respectful and important in ensuring that we considered all of the practical considerations involved.” 

Right to protest abortion

On Newstalk Breakfast ahead of the vote, Pro-Life Spokesperson Eilis Mulroy said the legislation is “draconian”. 

“It would create a zone and basically sterilise land where you are not able to peacefully assemble according to their constitutional rights,” she said. 

“It’s discriminatory against one opinion.” 

Together for Safety Co-Chair Karen Sugrue said this legislation is “a long time coming” and is purely about safety. 

“The purpose of this bill is simply to allow people the dignity and the privacy to access healthcare they're entitled to,” she said. 

“We’re not asking people to not protest - we’re very simply asking they move back. 

“We're all activists, we’re all sympathetic to the right to protest.”