The Seanad has approved a law aiming to ensure safety for pregnant women seeking terminations, by establishing protected zones around clinics to prevent any harassment or intimidation. The Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill, earlier passed by the Dáil, is now heading to the President for potential ratification.
This bill will outlaw anti-abortion protests within a hundred metre radius of any facilities possibly providing terminations, enabling exclusion areas around all hospitals, GP clinics, and other facilities like the Irish Family Planning Association services and the Dublin Well Woman Centre. The Dáil initially deliberated over this legislation in July of the previous year, and it was passed in November prior to reaching the Seanad.
Stephen Donnelly, Health Minister, remarked on the bill’s passing, noting it to be a “significant and memorable day” as the Government fulfilled a key pledge to set up these protected areas for women and service providers nationwide. He expressed that these protected access zones would become reality in Ireland, and upon the President signing the bill into law, it will safeguard service users and providers, enabling Irish women to access legal health services without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Donnelly acknowledged Ireland’s dark past regarding women’s healthcare and reproductive rights, but highlighted this legislation as a crucial stride in ensuring Ireland’s position as a leading nation in terms of its modern, progressive, comprehensive and expert women’s health services.
On the other hand, Rónán Mullen, an Independent Senator, criticised the bill, describing it as “sad” and suggested that the Minister had nothing to be proud of. He claimed that Donnelly had scored an easy victory for himself in this matter by succumbing to an activist group and by curbing the peaceful expression of differing opinions on abortion.
Meanwhile, Malachai O’Hara, the Green Party Senator from Northern Ireland, applauded the bill’s passing, noting that it signifies the culmination of the campaign of harassment and intimidation against women and pregnant people seeking reproductive and sexual healthcare services throughout the island of Ireland.
Mr. Mullen stated, “The so-called safe access zones are far from safe, especially for the unborn child in the case of abortion.” He urged President Michael D Higgins to review the Bill with the State Council and to examine it through an Article 26 reference. Adding, “If this does not occur, I advise individuals who are in favour of peaceful protests to oppose this law. Regardless of the government’s attempts to keep people silent, individuals must carry on bearing witness with respect.”
A debate on whether to abolish the mandatory three-day wait period for abortion was presented by Dr Mary Favier and Eilís Mulroy.
Sinn Féin’s Senator Lynn Boylan expressed that it was an important day for women’s healthcare. She stressed that women have the right to seek healthcare services without any form of intimidation or fear of harm, and that the decision regarding their bodies is entirely their own.
However, Independent Senator Sharon Keogan was somewhat disheartened and wished Mr Donnelly to be supportive towards young pregnant women and young girls who end up pregnant. She encouraged that they should be motivated to keep their children and implored for policies that could foster an improvement in their lives.
Eilís Mulroy, a spokesperson for the Pro Life Campaign, criticised the Bill calling it harsh, stating, “It does nothing to support women facing unplanned pregnancies. Rather, it aims to tarnish the reputation of pro-life advocates while enacting stringent regulations that compromise everyone’s basic rights.”