Ireland have
greeted the New Year with huge changes as abortions are now completely legal in
the country.
In May 2018,
Ireland voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment, which was added to the
Constitution in 1983 and gave equal status to the life of the mother and the
life of the unborn and made abortion illegal, except in extremely limited
circumstances.
The
referendum’s decision to liberalize Ireland’s ban on terminating pregnancies
saw just over 66 per cent vote to repeal the amendment.
Laws were
quickly passed after the referendum, and in December 2018 Irish President
Michael Higgins signed the bill to legalize abortion.
Ireland pro choice campaigners
Today
(January 1), at the turn of the New Year, abortions are now legal in Ireland,
with services and a helpline available.
Sharing the
news on their official Twitter page, the Department of Health posted:
''Abortion
services will be provided by the HSE, through GPs or family planning services,
and in maternity units and hospitals across the country, from today.''
''Abortion
care will be free of charge to people who need it.''
''Abortion
services will be provided by the HSE, through GPs or family planning services,
and in maternity units and hospitals across the country, from today.''
''Abortion
care will be free of charge to people who need it.''
''https://t.co/l1yqYg6cB6''
''—
Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 1, 2019''
The tweet
also included a link to a website offering ‘information and support on all your
options, including continued pregnancy supports and abortion services’, as well
as the number for the free helpline.
The new law
allows for abortion services to be provided ‘on demand’ up to the 12th week of
a pregnancy, and also applies in the case of a fatal foetal abnormality, or
where the physical or mental health of the mother is in danger, the BBC report.
For those
living in the Republic of Ireland abortions are free through the Health Service
Executive (HSE), while those residing outside the Republic of Ireland will have
to pay for the procedure. The HSE is Ireland’s version of the NHS.
According to
Sky News, health minister Simon Harris admitted it would take some time to
‘fully evolve and fully embed’ the services, but added ‘this is a very
significant day for women’s healthcare’.
He went on:
''When a
women picks up the phone and looks for her options there will be many, many
locations across the country where [she] can access this service.''
Ireland eighth referendum debate
Despite the
quick turnaround since the referendum, Dr Peter Boylan, a consultant
obstetrician and gynaecologist working with HSE, said staff are ready to help
women considering having an abortion.
He
explained:
''Our health
service is ready to provide abortion services to people who need it.''
''Clinical
guidance and training has been provided and circulated to healthcare teams
nationwide to assist practitioners in the clinical decision making involved in
providing abortion care.''
What a huge
day for those in Ireland!
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