We were elected to ensure our laws are fit for purpose – and it is high time we got on with doing that job
New legislation to amend our abortion law, and ensure women no longer have to travel when they receive a devastating diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality, is being introduced in the Dáil by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns today.
Deputy Cairns said:
“Next month will mark eight years since the Irish people voted overwhelming to remove the constitutional ban on abortion.
“However, the aim of that campaign – to ensure women no longer had to travel for compassionate medical care – has not yet been fully realised. Deficiencies in the law, that was enacted after the Repeal campaign, mean women continue to be failed in this country.
“That’s not just my opinion. That was the conclusion of an expert review of the law, by Marie O’Shea, that was published three years ago. My legislation – the Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill 2026 – seeks to enact the recommendations of that report.
“In particular, my legislation seeks to ensure that women, who receive a devastating diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality, no longer have to travel for care. This is especially important given women who endured that horror, and spoke publicly about their trauma, were a key reason for the success of the Repeal campaign.
“I think many members of the public would be outraged to know that some women, who receive that diagnosis today, are still being forced to travel because of problems with the existing law.
“My legislation also removes the patronising and paternalistic three-day mandatory waiting period – which has no scientific basis – and instead introduces a discretionary waiting period.
“It also provides more certainty around abortion in cases where a woman’s health or life is at risk; clarifies the law when it comes to conscientious objection and removes the criminalisation of medics.
“Previously, when I have asked government representatives why the legislative recommendations of Marie O’Shea’s report have not been acted on, they have suggested they never will be. According to this logic, the Irish people were told the parameters of the law in advance of the referendum – and therefore no change is possible.
“However, this ignores the fact that many people voted to ensure that women no longer had to travel to receive medical care, particularly when there is a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality. Shamefully, some women in this tragic situation are still being forced to travel.
“It also ignores the fact that a review of the law, after three years of operation, was baked in from the start. A review necessarily implies there will be change when the law isn’t working as it should.
“It is now seven years since our abortion law was enacted and three years since an expert review found a range of problems with it. Every month that passes, without action, is a month in which more and more women are failed.
“The only people who can address this, and help these women and their families, are legislators in the Oireachtas. We were elected to ensure our laws are fit for purpose – and it is high time we got on with doing that job.
“My Bill is legislation that I believe could be passed by a majority of the Dáil. I would appeal to members of the Government, as well as others in the Opposition, to work me to ensure that this becomes law.”