The Abortion Rights Campaign welcomes the general scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill, which was published on the 5th August 2022. The bill clearly outlines actions that are prohibited and sets out penalties for non-compliance with future law. We look forward to the enactment of this bill which will create a robust legal framework to guide our criminal justice system if and when protests continue.
We are confident that the comprehensive nature of the bill is in part a result of consistent pressure from the many reproductive rights activists that continue to campaign for better services in Ireland and particularly note the work of Together for Safety in pushing for legislation on safe access zones.
We await completion of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 and are optimistic its findings will bring Ireland in line with recently updated WHO guidelines on safe, legal, affordable abortion care.
We also urge the government to address the growing number of rogue crisis pregnancy agencies active in Ireland at the movement. We urgently call for legislation to prevent these services from providing false, misleading and often harmful information.
TAKE ACTION
- Email your TDs and let them know that you support safe access zones and will be watching closely as the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill progresses through the Dáil and Seanad. You’ll find contact details for your elected representatives at https://www.whoismytd.com/.
- Follow Together for Safety on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- Join us for the 11th Annual March for Choice on Saturday, 24th September at 12.45 pm outside Leinster House to call for Abortion on Demand, Without Apology. Invite your pro-choice friends, family, and colleagues 11th Annual March for Choice Facebook event page on your social media. Be sure to use the hashtag #ARCMarch22, so we can see and reshare your posts.
