Questions and Answers

No. Under the proposed new law, as under the current law, medical professionals would enjoy a right of conscientious objection. Except in emergencies, they would be entitled to refuse to participate in an abortion. However, they would be required to refer the patient to another practitioner who can provide the care she needs.
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Would abortion be available in emergency situations?

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 abouthe8thLeave a comment

The proposed new law would make abortion lawful where there is an immediate risk to the pregnant person’s life or an immediate risk of serious harm to her health. One doctor’s certification would be required. No statutory time-limit is proposed.Read More »

When will abortion be legal after 12 weeks?

May 4, 2018May 7, 2018 abouthe8thLeave a comment

The government proposes to legalise abortion after 12 weeks in four situations:

Where there is a risk to a woman’s life
Where there is a risk to serious harm to a woman’s physical or mental health
In emergency situations where there is an immediate risk to a woman’s life or a risk of serious harm to her health
Where the foetus has been diagnosed with a condition that means it will die before or shortly after birth (fatal foetal anomaly)

Except in emergencies or in cases of fatal foetal anomaly abortion will be illegal after the foetus has reached viability.Read More »

New booklet!

April 25, 2018May 8, 2018 abouthe8thLeave a comment

In collaboration with Lawyers for Choice, we have produced a new booklet providing short accessible answers to key questions about the referendum. We hope it will be a useful way of encouraging undecided voters to come and take a closer look at the more detailed answers here on the site. Look out for hard copies of the booklet in the future.

Our printing budget is very limited. However, we welcome any local canvassing group who want to print out and distribute their own copies. Please just tag us on twitter at @aboutthe8th to let us know that you are using the booklet.

Kathy at We Do Printing (www.wedoprinting.ie) designed the booklet and we highly recommend her work.

Download here.

download

The booklet also comes in an ‘Easy to Read’ version, which you can download here

Will the law on abortion information be changed after repeal?

April 13, 2018April 13, 2018 abouthe8thLeave a comment

Yes.

The Government’s proposed new law will repeal the Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995, and key provisions in the Censorship Acts of 1929 and 1946. Under these laws information about abortion is censored and heavily regulated.Read More »

What will people be voting on in the referendum?

April 11, 2018May 4, 2018 abouthe8th1 Comment

In the referendum people will vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to removing Article 40.3.3 (‘the 8th Amendment’) from the Constitution and replacing it with a new text: ‘Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancies’.Read More »

What are the implications of repeal for crimes against pregnant women?

April 10, 2018April 10, 2018 abouthe8thLeave a comment

Repeal would have no implications for crimes against pregnant women.
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Will abortion be available on ‘mental health’ grounds post-repeal?

April 9, 2018May 14, 2018 abouthe8th1 Comment

The government proposes that after 12 weeks abortion will only be available on mental health grounds where there is a risk of serious harm to mental health. Once the foetus has reached viability, lawful abortion will not be available on health grounds.Read More »

How does the 8th Amendment affect people who plan to continue their pregnancies?

April 9, 2018April 11, 2018 abouthe8th1 Comment

The 8th Amendment affects women’s right to refuse consent to treatment in pregnancy. It may also restrict the kinds of treatment, including abortion, that doctors can offer to their pregnant patients.

About the 8th

Providing Information about the 8th Amendment and proposed abortion law reform in Ireland