Sinn Féin proposes bill to remove three-day wait for abortion

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Sinn Féin is to bring forward legislation to remove a three-day wait period for abortions in early pregnancy.

At present, there is a three-day waiting period between GP consultations prior to a termination.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald announced the party will move legislation in the Dáil on Tuesday to remove this provision.

She said: “We believe that this legislation will be passed. The three-day wait should never have been introduced and has had serious consequences.

“It is time for the law to change and this would be a significant move towards compassion and ensuring barriers to women accessing healthcare are removed.”

McDonald added: “Since the passing of abortion legislation, following the Repeal referendum, there have been concerns expressed at the mandatory three-day wait and the negative implications that it has had for women.

“Any woman taking this decision will have given it deep thought and removing the mandatory wait does not mean that a woman cannot take more time if she wishes.

“That option is always there. But forcing a woman to adhere to a three-day mandatory wait is not acceptable and has had a very negative impact.

“It has meant that some women cannot get access to care because of difficulty getting a GP in their county.

“It has also had serious consequences for women in very difficult circumstances where they are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.”