Health Minister 'fully committed' to safe access zones for abortion services

Stephen Donnelly says women's healthcare is a priority for him, responding to a statement from the Department of Health which said existing legislation is sufficient to prevent anti-abortion protests at hospitals

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. File Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The Minister for Health insists he is "fully committed" to legislating for safe access zones around clinics that provide abortion services.

It comes after the Irish Examiner revealed that the Department of Health stated that current public order legislation is adequate to police anti-abortion protests outside hospitals and GP practices.