Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 explained

Short Title:Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024
Legislature:Oireachtas
Long Title:An Act to prohibit persons from engaging in certain conduct in safe access zones, that is to say, in certain areas in and adjacent to certain healthcare premises; to make provision for enforcement in respect of engaging in conduct prohibited in such safe access zones, and to provide for offences in relation to such prohibited conduct; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Citation:No. 13 of 2024
Territorial Extent:Ireland
Enacted By:Dáil
Date Passed:15 November
Enacted By2:Seanad
Date Passed2:1 May 2024
Date Signed:7 May 2024
Signed By:President Michael D. Higgins
Bill:Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023
Bill Citation:No. 54 of 2023
Bill Date:29 January 2023
Introduced By:Minister for Health (Stephen Donnelly)
Committee Responsible:Health
1St Reading:5 July 2023
2Nd Reading:27 September 2023
Committee Post2nd:25 October 2023
Committee Whole Label:Report and Final Stage
Committee Whole:15 November 2023
2Nd Reading2:14 December 2023
Committee Post2nd2:27 February 2024
Committee Whole Label2:Report and Final Stage
Committee Whole2:1 May 2024
Date Amendments Considered:1 May 2024
Date Final Passage:1 May 2024
Summary:Creates safe access zones around abortion clinics
Status:not yet in force

The Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 (Act No. 13 of 2024; previously Bill No. 54 of 2023) is an Act of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) which establishes safe zones around abortion clinics with a radius 100 metres.

Background

Abortion was legalised in 2018 in Ireland through a referendum.

Abortion access remained difficult due to harassment, illegal tactics and a culture of shame related to abortion with a number of unregulated services providing false services.[1]

The Dáil passed the bill in November 2023.[2] The Seanad passed the bill in May 2024.[3]

Commencement of the law

The law has not been commenced yet.

Notes and References

  1. News: Hogan. Caelainn . 2019-10-03. Why Ireland’s battle over abortion is far from over . The Guardian. London . 2024-07-17.
  2. News: Hosford . Paul . 2023-11-15 . Legislation for 'exclusion zones' for abortion services passes through Dáil. Irish Examiner. Dublin . 2024-07-17.
  3. News: O'Halloran . Marie . 2024-05-01 . Seanad passes Bill to prevent anti-abortion protests outside health facilities . Irish Times . Dublin . 2024-07-17.