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Extra sitting day for senators to debate amendments

Seanad debates amendments to abortion bill

A vote on an amendment put forward by anti-abortion Senators centered on grounds for termination after viability has been defeated in the Seanad.

Politics • 10 Dec 18

Abortion bill in the Seanad - it's not going to be easy

On Wednesday evening, as the clock ticked towards midnight, the report stage of the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill completed its journey through the Dáil.

Politics • 10 Dec 18

Dr Peter Boylan said he understood medical colleagues had 'genuine concerns' about the introduction of termination services

Boylan warns against delay to abortion introduction

The number of people seeking abortion services in Irish hospitals once they are introduced is "not going to be huge," according to the clinical adviser to the HSE's National Women and Infants Programme.

Health • 07 Dec 18

Minister for Health Simon Harris addressed the Seanad

Minister for Health introduces abortion bill to Seanad

The Minister for Health has outlined the approach he will be taking regarding the consideration of the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill in the Seanad.

Politics • 07 Dec 18

Dáil sitting late for abortion bill debate

The Dáil is considering to sit until midnight tonight to facilitate debate on the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill.

News • 05 Dec 18

A separate amendment introduced by anti-abortion TDs sought an increase in the amount of data collected

Abortion bill amendments defeated during Dáil debate

A number of amendments to the abortion bill have been defeated in the Dáil

Politics • 05 Dec 18

The group of largely anti-abortion doctors wanted to vote on a series on motions but were refused that request

Doctors stage walkout at meeting over abortion services

Up to 50 GPs walked out of an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Irish College of General Practitioners today, complaining that their voices have not been heard ahead of the introduction of abortion services in January.

Health • 02 Dec 18

According to an ICGP online survey last month, two-thirds of its members said they will not provide abortion services

Doctors to hold EGM over abortion service concerns

Concerns over how abortion services will be introduced in Ireland have prompted the Irish College of General Practitioners to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of its membership this Sunday.

Health • 30 Nov 18

Simon Harris said women's rights were human rights and the Oireachtas would legislate in that regard

Amendment on grounds sought for abortion defeated

An amendment proposing that abortions are not sought on grounds of race, sex or disability under the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill has been defeated in the Dáil.

Politics • 29 Nov 18

Amendments have been debated in the Dáil

Availability of second doctor sought in abortion cases

The Minister for Health has put forward an amendment to the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill allowing a second practitioner to carry out an abortion procedure if the first practitioner is unavailable.

Politics • 29 Nov 18

The extraordinary general meeting will take place on 2 December

ICGP to hold EGM on GP-led abortion services

An extraordinary general meeting of the Irish College of General Practitioners will not include votes on motions put forward by GPs concerned about the introduction of abortion services.

Health • 23 Nov 18

Simon Harris said he is working to pass legislation by the Dáil Christmas break

NI women must be able to have abortion access - Harris

Minister for Health Simon Harris has said he wants to make sure women from Northern Ireland can access abortion services in the Republic.

Ireland • 15 Nov 18

The committee stage of the legislation is scheduled until Thursday

Health Committee hearing on abortion bill amendments

The Oireachtas Health Committee is meeting to consider amendments to the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill.

Ireland • 06 Nov 18

Peter Fitzpatrick, Carol Nolan, Mattie McGrath, Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Collins

Health Minister criticised over new abortion law

A number of TDs have accused the Minister for Health of failing to engage meaningfully with them over the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill.

Politics • 25 Oct 18

Simon Harris said 'each and every amendment' to the legislation will be considered at committee stage

Harris requests committee meeting over abortion bill

Minister for Health Simon Harris has written to the Oireachtas committee responsible for examining amendments to the abortion legislation, requesting it meet at the earliest convenience.

Politics • 18 Oct 18

Fianna Fáil TD Mary Butler said she would work with the Government to ensure the 'safety of women'

Sharp exchanges during Dáil debate on abortion bill

There have been emotional contributions and sharp exchanges in the Dáil tonight during the second stage debate of the abortion legislation.

News • 17 Oct 18

Senior Counsel Ben Ó Floinn of the Medico-Legal Alliance was speaking at the group's inaugural conference

Abortion law 'could face freedom of conscience case'

A leading member of the Medico-Legal Alliance has hinted that the country's draft abortion law may face a legal challenge similar to the Asher's Bakery freedom of conscience case.

Ireland • 14 Oct 18

Simon Harris said it was a priority of the Government to develop a woman-centred, safe and regulated service in January 2019

Stakeholders meet on introduction of abortion services

A round-table discussion has taken place between the main stakeholders in the introduction of abortion services.

Politics • 08 Oct 18

The poll of 1,000 adults was carried out by Amárach on behalf of The Pro Life Campaign

Survey results split over doctors opposed to abortion

A survey has found that respondents were split on whether doctors opposed to abortion should be obliged to refer a patient to another doctor who will carry out the procedure.

Ireland • 06 Oct 18

Simon Harris said he was determined that today would see a new chapter for women's health

Bill to legalise abortion services introduced in Dáil

The Minister for Health has introduced the Regulation of the Termination of Pregnancy Bill in the Dáil, which seeks to legalise abortion services in Ireland.

Politics • 04 Oct 18

Leo Varadkar has said legislation to facilitate abortion would be introduced during the first week in October

Concern over timeline for introducing abortion services

The Irish College of General Practitioners and the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have expressed concerns over the proposed timeline regarding the introduction of abortion services here.

Health • 19 Sep 18

Simon Harris said he will look specifically at two areas of the legislation

Harris decision over abortion services welcomed

The chairperson of the Termination for Medical Reasons group has welcomed a decision by the Minister for Health to allow doctors to refer women who have pregnancies, where there is a diagnosis of a life limiting condition, for an abortion abroad before the end of this year.

Health • 13 Aug 18

Anti-abortion campaigners celebrate outside Congress in Buenos Aires

Argentina's Senate rejects bill to legalise abortion

Senators in Argentina have voted against legalising abortion, dashing the hopes of women's rights groups after the bill was approved by the lower house in June.

Argentina • 09 Aug 18

Minister Harris said crisis pregnancy situations do not stop at the border

Abortion services to be available to women from NI

The Minister for Health has said women in Northern Ireland will be able to access abortion services in the Republic when the legislation is introduced here.

Abortion • 08 Aug 18

Protests were held earlier this year calling for a change to legislation in Northern Ireland

Cross-party letter calls for change to NI abortion laws

More than one hundred politicians from across Ireland and the UK have signed a letter urging the British and Irish governments to act to reform the laws surrounding abortion in Northern Ireland.

Abortion • 22 Jul 18