#Abortion laws

Sign in

#Abortion laws

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>GP told committee delay meant 'protected time to ensure informed consent and to enable these women make a fully considered decision at such a vulnerable time in their lives'. File picture</p>

news

Three-day abortion wait avoids coercive pressure on women to have termination, committee told

In tense Oireachtas health committee session, some politicians claimed GP speakers were 'barracked' and 'attacked' by other politicians for supporting the three-day wait

<p>The Bill, currently being considered by the Oireachtas health committee, would remove the statutory three-day waiting period between an initial consultation and a termination of pregnancy. File picture</p>

news

Three-day abortion wait could be removed while preserving option for reflection, committee told

<p>Despite their concerns over the public health service, 24% of respondents have cancelled or reduced their private health insurance because it is too expensive. Picture: iStock</p>

news

Rural Ireland Thinks: Half of those surveyed had two-day wait to see GP

Upset woman sitting on couch alone at home

news

Rural Ireland Thinks: Over 80% support workplace leave for women who have had abortions

Ireland abortion laws

comment-analysis

When fatal is 'not fatal enough': Eight years since the repeal of the eighth

Doctor or physician writing diagnosis and giving a medical prescription to female Patient

news

Just over one in 10 GPs has signed up for abortion programme six years on

War of Independents as Mattie McGrath and Michael Collins trade blows on Facebook

War of Independents as Mattie McGrath and Michael Collins trade blows on Facebook

The Tipperary South and Cork South-West TDs resort to 'handbags at dawn' after a Cork Aontú county councillor's Facebook post about this week's abortion vote

Fri, 19 Jun, 2026

'No one else should decide': Campaigner calls for scrapping of three-day abortion wait

'No one else should decide': Campaigner calls for scrapping of three-day abortion wait

Shaneda Daly said the decision to end a pregnancy should rest solely with the woman involved

Thu, 18 Jun, 2026

National Economic Dialogue

Louise Burne: Micheál Martin ruffling feathers in Fianna Fáil again

The party has had a difficult history with abortion, a history that has dogged many of its politicians in the intervening years

Thu, 18 Jun, 2026

FILE PHOTO Pressure is growing for TDs to return to Leinster House for sittings of the Dail END

TDs vote to abolish three-day reflection period on abortion

There was a split on the Government benches, due to a vote of conscience being allowed, with several Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs voting against the proposal

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Belfast

Frustration in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael as Martin and Harris set to back Sinn Féin abortion bill

The Dáil has debated Sinn Féin's bill which seeks to remove the three-day reflection period that a woman must wait between seeking an abortion and accessing the service

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Middle East conflict

Taoiseach and Tánaiste to back Sinn Féin bill removing three-day abortion waiting period

Free vote for Government TDs as legislation advances to remove mandatory delay before accessing abortion care.

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Belfast

Sinn Féin proposes bill to remove three-day wait for abortion

is to bring forward legislation to remove a three-day wait period for abortions in early pregnancy. At present, there is a three-day waiting period between GP consultations prior to a termination.

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

My grandmother fought for reproductive rights over 50 years ago — why are we still fighting?

My grandmother fought for reproductive rights over 50 years ago — why are we still fighting?

The three-day wait for an abortion in Ireland is medically unnecessary, patronising, and unjustified, writes Aisling McGee

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Eight years after repeal vote, families say gaps remain in Ireland’s abortion care laws

Eight years after repeal vote, families say gaps remain in Ireland’s abortion care laws

Families behind new book say legal gaps continue causing trauma for parents facing life-limiting foetal diagnoses

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Social Democrats think-in

Dáil vote defeats Social Democrats' abortion bill

An abortion Bill proposed by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has been defeated by TDs. The Bill would remove a three-day waiting period and stop the need for some women to travel abroad after receiving a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality.

Wed, 13 May, 2026

Social Democrats think-in

Social Democrats' proposed amendments to abortion laws are 'problematic'

TDs are set to debate proposed reform of Ireland’s abortion laws on Wednesday

Wed, 13 May, 2026

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Holly Cairns: 'Back legislation to remove three-day wait for abortion services'

The 8th Amendment was repealed in May 2018 to allow for access to abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Maria Steen backed by 10 Oireachtas members in her bid to join race for the Áras

Maria Steen backed by 10 Oireachtas members in her bid to join race for the Áras

Ms Steen has the public backing of eight TDs and senators, and another two are expected to endorse her in the coming days

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Judge strikes down US state’s abortion bans, pill prohibition to end pregnancy

Judge strikes down US state’s abortion bans, pill prohibition to end pregnancy

Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens’ ruling was consistent with her three previous orders over the past two-and-a-half years to block the laws disputed in court

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

Continued reform of Ireland's abortion laws needed, say advocates

Continued reform of Ireland's abortion laws needed, say advocates

Yvie Murphy, co-chair of Together for Safety, said: “We want to take this opportunity to remind people that abortion rights in Ireland that were so hard won, could easily be lost, as they have been in America.”

Tue, 22 Oct, 2024

Dail returns

Safe access zones around abortion services come into effect

This includes general practitioner clinics and family planning clinics as well as acute hospitals

Thu, 17 Oct, 2024

Doctor and female patient sitting at the desk and talking in clinic near window. Medicine and health care concept. Green is ma

'You owe this service to your patients': Doctors tell of providing abortion care in UCC study

The authors of the study, Prof Mary Donnelly and Claire Murray from UCC’s School of Law, say it shows the increased normalisation of early medical abortion in primary care

Sun, 13 Oct, 2024

Melania Trump visit to Clapton

Melania Trump passionately defends abortion rights in upcoming memoir

Ms Trump says her beliefs about abortion rights spring from “a core set of principles”, at the heart of which sits “individual liberty” and “personal freedom”, on which there is “no room for negotiation”

Wed, 02 Oct, 2024

Hospital Stock

Rural Ireland Thinks poll: Majority of rural Ireland would favour assisted dying

These broadly liberal views come despite the poll also finding that a slight majority of people in rural Ireland consider themselves to be religious

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Nell McCafferty in Easons Dublin during her book s

Jennifer Horgan: Sisters (and brothers), we must continue to fight like McCafferty

'My sister was struggling to hold back tears reading her letter, sharing her shock and frustration that women and girls are still so vulnerable in this country'

Fri, 30 Aug, 2024

Fergus Finlay: I’ve seen plenty of angry and bitter campaigns — Harris brings joy

S Fergus Finlay: I’ve seen plenty of angry and bitter campaigns — Harris brings joy

'I love to hate my opponents. Or maybe I’m just fashioned by years of bitter experience to believe that all campaigns have to be about fighting.'

Tue, 27 Aug, 2024

FILE PHOTO Nell McCafferty, a prominent journalist, author, and feminist campaigner, has passed away at the age of 80 in a Co Do

S Clodagh Finn: Nell McCafferty was a ‘wee outlaw’ who made Ireland a better place

It is heartening to see that Nell — she was so well-known that the country was on first-name terms with her — has prompted so many warm tributes over the last few days

Sat, 24 Aug, 2024

Letters to the Editor: Crucial decision about Palestine by International Court of Justice

Letters to the Editor: Crucial decision about Palestine by International Court of Justice

With its history of occupation, apartheid and genocide, Ireland is in a unique position to lead the charge against the occupation of Palestinian land and the crimes of apartheid and genocide that are used to uphold it

Mon, 22 Jul, 2024

The Irish Examiner view: Both sides must stop the spiral

The Irish Examiner view: Both sides must stop the spiral

The biggest worry now, in an already divided nation, is that the ongoing polarised political stasis will only lead to greater radicalisation of the candidates

Tue, 16 Jul, 2024

Caught in a time warp: Priest's petty gesture to refuse communion to politician

Caught in a time warp: Priest's petty gesture to refuse communion to politician

People have the right to oppose abortion but the Church no longer holds the sway it used to over our society

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

Letters to the Editor: Nato has little to do with peace

Letters to the Editor: Nato has little to do with peace

'Nato was founded in 1949 to counter the perceived threat posed by the then Soviet Union. It has no raison d’etre since the Warsaw Pact was dissolved in 1991'

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

US Johnson 1

Letters to the Editor: Biden should follow example of other US presidents

A reader says if any US president is not able, as they once were, to fully fulfill their duties, it is wise not to run for a second term and to generously give the opportunity to another from their party to run for the Oval Office

Sat, 13 Jul, 2024

File Photo The Health Service Executive has said it is working to establish how many patients may need to have their medical tes

More than 10,000 pregnancy terminations in Ireland last year

A majority of terminations took place in early pregnancy

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

New homes

Human rights body criticises abortion services and housing in Ireland

A new report by Amnesty International has hit out at the Irish Government for ‘gaps and barriers’ in abortion services.

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Active travel funding

S Elaine Loughlin: Freewheeling Eamon Ryan happy not to play the politics game

Quiet messaging by the Greens, if you can even call it messaging, is at odds with all other political parties and Independents, who as the general election draws nearer will be battling to drown each other out

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Cabinet meeting

‘Timely and safe’ abortion services available for majority, GPs say

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the requirement for two GP appointments now includes the option of a phone call and one meeting

Tue, 16 Apr, 2024

Government accused of 'sitting on its hands' on abortion care reform

Government accused of 'sitting on its hands' on abortion care reform

Holly Cairns accused the Government of inaction on the matter

Tue, 16 Apr, 2024

Simon Harris urged to implement abortion care changes 'now'

Simon Harris urged to implement abortion care changes 'now'

An open letter to the Taoiseach warns that patients are being denied timely reproductive healthcare

Mon, 15 Apr, 2024

Independent Ireland leader: Make prostitution legal and chemically castrate rapists

Independent Ireland leader: Make prostitution legal and chemically castrate rapists

Cork TD says the new party could win up to 15 Dáil seats at the next election and would have no objection to a coalition with Sinn Féin

Fri, 12 Apr, 2024

A hand typing on a keyboard with a computer screen and credit cards in the background. Concept: fraud using stolen credit cards

Letters to the Editor: Pay on delivery solution to online scams

Readers address online scams, Gaza, abortion figures, and Cork dereliction

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Twelve of Ireland's maternity hospitals still do not offer surgical abortions

Twelve of Ireland's maternity hospitals still do not offer surgical abortions

Only three hospitals in the country now offer all three legal methods of termination — surgical and medical abortions and manual vacuum aspiration

Sat, 02 Mar, 2024

Gareth O'Callaghan: Vocations are like trends — they change over time

S Gareth O'Callaghan: Vocations are like trends — they change over time

I often ask myself why a man would want to become a priest in today’s Ireland

Sat, 17 Feb, 2024

Ann Lovett

Ann Lovett: Granard still reluctant to talk about schoolgirl's death 40 years on

Pubs are asked to switch off the TV when Ann’s name is broadcast and many locals refuse to watch films or documentaries about her death

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

French government seeks to enshrine a woman’s right to abortion within constitution

French government seeks to enshrine a woman’s right to abortion within constitution

France’s National Assembly is taking up a bill on Tuesday meant to enshrine a woman’s right to an abortion in the French Constitution, the first key step in a legislative process that also requires a vote in the Senate.

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Terry Prone: Every time 'populist' is used it creates a pointless distraction

S Terry Prone: Every time 'populist' is used it creates a pointless distraction

It’s a democratic paradox: manifestos are utterly pointless, yet you can’t have an election without them. Manifestos speak to the honesty and transparency of each political party, and no voter in their right mind wants to have to read one.

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Holly Cairns interview

Holly Cairns: Lack of action on State's abortion law shows 'political cowardice'

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said it will be “cruel” and “political cowardice” if the Government decides against removing a three-day waiting period to access abortion services.

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

concept of digital technology

Letters to the Editor: Broadband rollout is leaving rural Ireland disconnected

One reader queries the wait for fibre broadband in Waterford, while others consider issues including conflict in the Middle East, alcohol legislation, biodiversity loss, and abortion rights

Wed, 03 Jan, 2024

Abortion debate

Archbishop's views on safe access zones for abortions dismissed as 'nonsense'

People Before Profit Deputy, Bríd Smith, said the comments are deeply offensive, adding that safe access zones would not prevent people from airing their views.

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Mick Clifford: Unity needed to beat far right

S Mick Clifford: Unity needed to beat far right

Since last Thursday week, the oft-repeated line is that the riots and all the attendant fall-out have acted as a wake-up call. The jury is out on that, writes Mick Clifford

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023