Despite efforts to improve aspects of abortion services in the past year, significant barriers to equitable and accessible abortion services remain, says the coalition
In an open letter to Taoiseach Simon Harris, the coalition says changes needed include decriminalisation, removal of the mandatory three-day wait between when a woman seeks abortion medication and when she can access it; a review of the 12-week gestational limit on accessing medical abortion; and legislation to provide for “safe access zones” around surgeries and clinics providing abortion services.
In their letter they “acknowledge efforts to improve operational aspects of abortion services in the past year – including 17 of the 19 maternity hospitals now providing care”.“These barriers include ongoing criminalisation, the mandatory three-day wait, inadequate data collection, lack of safe access zones, uneven geographical coverage, and narrow rigid legal criteria for abortion access after 12-weeks; including the 28-day clause for fatal foetal anomalies.
The coalition statement was issued in advance of an RTÉ Investigates broadcast on Monday evening examining abortion services in Ireland.