Overview
- The Dáil rejected the Social Democrats’ Reproductive Rights Bill on Wednesday, voting 85 against, 30 in favor, and 36 abstaining.
- The bill sought to scrap the three‑day waiting period, clarify access in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, and remove criminal penalties for clinicians.
- Government TDs had a free vote, and the Department of Health said proposals on decriminalising doctors, changing medical‑termination criteria, and issuing ministerial clinical guidelines posed legal and operational problems.
- Taoiseach Micheál Martin called decriminalisation highly problematic and said a private member’s bill was not the best way to change complex law.
- Officials noted service access has expanded since the 2023 O’Shea review, with early‑pregnancy care in all 19 maternity hospitals, more community providers, and one required consultation allowed by remote visit.