Report to detail abortion rates in Ireland
The situation is set to be detailed in a key report due to be signed off by Government tomorrow.
Under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, which was introduced by then health minister Dr James Reilly in 2013, abortions can be carried out in Ireland in certain cases when the life of the expectant mother is considered to be at risk.
As part of a deal to ensure the legislation passed through the Dáil and Seanad, Government officials agreed to detail the number of cases every year in an annual report linked to the 2013 act.
The latest annual report, covering the past 12 months, is due to go before cabinet tomorrow before being “laid before the House” in the Oireachtas library.
While it is understood that less than a dozen cases will be outlined in the latest annual report, the incidents will underline whether the exceptions to Ireland’s strict abortion ban are wide enough to help women in certain circumstances.
Under the act, which was introduced in response to the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar in Galway in late 2012, a termination may be allowed when there is a “real and substantial risk” to a woman’s life due to a physical illness or suicidal thoughts.
In order for a termination to take place, two medical practitioners must jointly certify that the risk can only be averted by carrying out the procedure.
The annual report figures will be raised at Cabinet tomorrow, in a meeting which is expected to be dominated by issues in Greece, variable mortgage rates, and the murders in Tunisia.
