The Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 (Act No. 13 of 2024; previously Bill No. 54 of 2023) is an Act of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) which establishes safe zones around abortion clinics with a radius 100 metres.
Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 | |
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Oireachtas | |
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Citation | No. 13 of 2024 |
Territorial extent | Ireland |
Passed by | Dáil |
Passed | 15 November |
Passed by | Seanad |
Passed | 1 May 2024 |
Signed by | President Michael D. Higgins |
Signed | 7 May 2024 |
Legislative history | |
First chamber: Dáil | |
Bill title | Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 |
Bill citation | No. 54 of 2023 |
Introduced by | Minister for Health (Stephen Donnelly) |
Introduced | 29 January 2023 |
Committee responsible | Health |
First reading | 5 July 2023 |
Second reading | 27 September 2023 |
Considered by the Health Committee | 25 October 2023 |
Report and Final Stage | 15 November 2023 |
Second chamber: Seanad | |
Second reading | 14 December 2023 |
Considered in committee | 27 February 2024 |
Report and Final Stage | 1 May 2024 |
Final stages | |
Seanad amendments considered by the Dáil | 1 May 2024 |
Finally passed both chambers | 1 May 2024 |
Summary | |
Creates safe access zones around abortion clinics | |
Status: Not yet in force |
Background
editAbortion was legalised in 2018 in Ireland through a referendum.
Abortion access remained difficult due to harassment, illegal tactics and a culture of shame related to abortion with a number of unregulated services providing false services.[1]
The Dáil passed the bill in November 2023.[2] The Seanad passed the bill in May 2024.[3]
Commencement of the law
editThe law has not been commenced yet.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hogan, Caelainn (3 October 2019). "Why Ireland's battle over abortion is far from over". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ Hosford, Paul (15 November 2023). "Legislation for 'exclusion zones' for abortion services passes through Dáil". Irish Examiner. Dublin. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ O'Halloran, Marie (1 May 2024). "Seanad passes Bill to prevent anti-abortion protests outside health facilities". Irish Times. Dublin. Retrieved 17 July 2024.