How many reports will it take to improve Ireland's abortion law?
Why should abortion be different simply because some politicians remain uncomfortable with abortion being treated as the necessary healthcare that it is?
The week before Christmas, yet another report about Ireland’s abortion legislation was published. This time, a report about the already published Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health. The good news is that the Health Committee concluded that the independent review recommendations should be implemented.
However, in highlighting issues raised by individual politicians on the committee, the report states “that the recommendations entail a substantial departure from the proposals presented to the electorate before the May 2018 referendum.” This continues the trend of certain politicians focusing on the fact that people knew what the legislation would entail before voting in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment without acknowledgement of the fact that legislative changes, in other areas, happen all the time. Why should abortion be different simply because some politicians remain uncomfortable with abortion being treated as the necessary healthcare that it is?
The possibility of changing and improving abortion access in Ireland is built into the legislation. Section 7 of the Health (Regulations of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 states,
“7. The Minister shall, not later than 3 years after the commencement of this section, carry out a review of the operation of this Act.”
While it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the review conducted by the independent Chair Marie O’Shea B.L. looked at multiple aspects of how the legislation operates. As the Health Committee notes in its report,
“The review of the 2018 Act was informed by –
• the Unplanned Pregnancy and Abortion Care (UnPAC) study commissioned by the HSE
• a review of health providers’ perspectives and a public consultation process
• a research project titled “Conscientious Objection after Repeal: Abortion, Law and Ethics” (CORALE), led by researchers at Trinity College Dublin and funded by the Irish Research Council.”
In April, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, received Cabinet approval to refer O’Shea’s report to the Health Committee and the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) Implementation Group. The proposed legislative changes were to be examined by the Health Committee. The HSE’s Implementation Group would be responsible for the operational recommendations that do not require legislative changes.
Throughout two public meetings, the Health Committee considered the Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 report, hearing from Marie O’Shea, Dr Catherine Conlon, and Dr Deirde Duffy. The Committee didn’t examine the legislative recommendations individually but considered them “an overall package.” It was this overall package that they approved. The Committee recommended that Minister Donnelly “bring forward appropriate proposals as a matter of priority.” They also suggested that “the HSE should expedite and complete without delay the work of the Implementation Group in relation to the operational arrangements, and publish progress reports.”
January 1st marks five years since abortion became more widely available in Ireland. Here’s hoping another year doesn’t pass without the Government, the Department of Health, and the HSE implementing the much-needed changes to how abortions are provided at a legislative, policy, and operational level.
But What Can I Do?
In Ireland, email your TDs about the need to implement the recommendations of the independent review of our abortion legislation.
The Abortion Rights Campaign created a template — Email your TDs about the Review Recommendations.
You can read the independent report here — The Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.
Donate to abortion funds
In Europe, donate to Supporting Abortions for Everyone (SAFE), Abortion Support Network, Aborcyjny Dream Team, Abortion Network Amsterdam, and Abortion Without Borders.
In the US, the National Network of Abortion Funds lists funds in every state — donating here means your donation supports 90+ organisations.
Share information on how to access abortions
In Ireland, if you are pregnant and do not want to be, or someone you know needs an abortion, the HSE’s MyOptions service will help you find your nearest provider. Freephone 1800 828 010.
The Abortion Rights Campaign has written a blog post about how the legislation works and on what grounds abortion is permissible after the 12-week on-request period has passed — Need an abortion?
In Northern Ireland, Alliance for Choice Belfast and Alliance for Choice Derry have shared information on accessing abortion services in the North.
Alliance for Choice Belfast — I Need An Abortion Now.
Alliance for Choice Derry — Abortion Help.
In Northern Ireland, Lucht Cabhrach Abortion Doulas provide support at home before, during or after your abortion.
Phone 07397 902774 or email abortion@luchtcabhrach.com — What are doulas?
Email allianceforchoicederry@gmail.com to contact Alliance for Choice Derry’s abortion doulas — Our Abortion Doulas.
The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) created a guide for supporting someone through an early medical abortion — Supporting someone through their abortion and Supporting someone through their abortion (Leaflet).
Alliance for Choice Derry has gathered information on identifying whether an unplanned or crisis pregnancy service is legitimate or a rogue agency or clinic. While their post focuses on Northern Ireland and Ireland, these tactics are used globally by anti-abortion groups — What is a Rogue Clinic?
In Malta, the Abortion Doula Support Service is a free information service by pro-choice doctors offering advice and support to people needing an abortion — Abortion Doula Support Service.
In Poland, Abortion Dream Team provides advice and support for people seeking abortions, whether at home with abortion pills or travelling abroad for abortion care — Abortion Dream Team.
In the US, ineeda.com provides up-to-date information on how to get an abortion.
Share information on how to access contraception and STI testing
In Ireland, free prescription contraception is available for women, girls, trans and non-binary people aged 17 to 31 — How to access the free contraception scheme.
In Ireland, free STI testing is available at home from SH:24 — Order your free at-home STI tests.
Everyone Loves a News Round-Up
“As well as issues around heart monitoring, the Irish Examiner review shows that in at least seven of the 38 cases, maternity staff missed signs that a woman was in labour, leading to repeated recommendations around training.” — At least 38 baby deaths in nine years after serious incidents in Irish maternity units [Irish Examiner]
“We’re talking about a health matter, a sadly common experience, where there is no law that says how to deal with the remains of a miscarriage at home,” said Sara Ainsworth, the senior legal and policy director at If/When/How, a nonprofit network of lawyers who advocate abortion rights. “At every point, a prosecutor has the power to put the brakes on.” — Prosecutor urged to drop case against woman charged after miscarriage [The Washington Post]
“As a movement, we seem to recognize that reproductive justice is a framework we should be embracing. But we should also take it as a challenge and a critique of what we’ve been doing. If we want to build a strong, safe world for pregnant people and our families, let’s start with a floor we can all stand on.” — Guest Column: The Danger of Abortion 'Compromise' [Abortion, Every Day︱Substack]
“In what doctors are calling a “one-in-a-million” pregnancy, 32-year-old Kelsey Hatcher delivered a set of twin daughters, one of whom was in each womb, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) hospital.” — Alabama woman with two uteruses gives birth twice in two days [The Guardian]
“Birth is always a challenging circumstance — but the challenges are extreme in Gaza, where hospitals are overwhelmed, supplies are dwindling, and water and sanitation infrastructure, which depends on electricity and fuel, has almost completely shut down.” — In Gaza, Palestinian Maternal Health Is Hard-Hit [Undark]
“The KFF 2023 National OBGYN survey found that over half of OBGYNs practicing in states where abortion is banned reported being concerned about their legal risk when making decisions about patient care and the necessity for abortions. The risk to doctors is so high that many doctors are hesitant to provide life-saving abortion care unless the threat to life is imminent.” — Who Decides When a Patient Qualifies for an Abortion Ban Exception? Doctors vs. the Courts [KFF]
“and even though i regret my abortion, even though i’ve spent countless hours crying to my partner or my therapist or just to myself, even though i never wanted to do it and even though i’d never do it again, i will always fight for the right of others to have access to affordable, safe, and sanitary abortion care. (abortion is a human right).” — i regret my abortion & it’s nobody’s fault. [snow’s Substack]