Irish Parliament Passes Bill to Remove Three-Day Abortion Wait, Sends It to Health Committee

The Dáil passed a Sinn Féin bill to remove the three-day mandatory wait for an abortion in the Republic of Ireland by a vote of 86 in favour and 70 against. Under current law there is a three-day waiting period between GP consultations and a termination up to 12 weeks. The bill will now go before the health committee for further scrutiny.

The Taoiseach voted in favour of the bill. The Tánaiste also voted in favour. Government TDs had a free vote on the issue as a matter of conscience. On Tuesday, Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan said the legislation was about "trusting women".

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the passage of the legislation marked "an important step forward for women's healthcare and one of the most significant changes since we voted to repeal the 8th amendment". She added that "women, healthcare providers and campaigners have long called for this unnecessary barrier to be removed".

Minister for Children Norma Foley said she would vote against the legislation.

She said the current law was "part of what was put to the people" during the abortion referendum in 2018. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said he believes there is "no public appetite" to remove the three-day wait. Fine Gael TD Peter Roche said he was informed by the number of women who change their mind during the three-day wait period.

Abortions are allowed if two doctors determine there is a condition likely to lead to the death of the fetus either before or within 28 days of birth. The Labour Party called on the government to go further and implement all the recommendations made in the review of abortion legislation by barrister Marie O'Shea in 2022.