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Women from Northern Ireland could be able to have abortions in the Republic of Ireland when the new laws are introduced, the Taoiseach has said.<\/p>\nWomen from Northern Ireland could be able to have abortions in the Republic of Ireland when the new laws are introduced, the Taoiseach has said.<\/p>\n
Leo Varadkar said he could not imagine why women from Northern Ireland would not be able to receive treatment for crisis pregnancies, when Northern Irish people can already access healthcare in the Republic.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach made the comments as UK Prime Minister Theresa May comes under increasing pressure to make changes following the resounding Yes vote.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of pro-choice activists vowed to hit Northern Ireland like a \u201cseismic wave\u201d as they stepped up their bid for change with a rally in Belfast on Monday.<\/p>\n
Abortions are outlawed in nearly all cases in Northern Ireland. Once legislation is passed in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland will be the only part of the UK or Ireland where prohibition is maintained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do have people who already come to our hospitals from Northern Ireland for healthcare so I imagine it will be treated as a normal part of our health service,\u201d Mr Varadkar said.<\/p>\n
But he added it would have to be examined as legislators draft a bill in the coming months.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin called on the Government to ensure women in Northern Ireland can access abortion services in GP surgeries and hospitals here.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our obligation and mandate to ensure the passage of this legislation because of the urgency of the issue for many women in our society,\u201d Mr Martin said.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald said the issue is very important as Brexit is looming.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar told the D\u00e1il today the Government wanted to legislate for abortion in Ireland as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
But he said it should not be rushed because some people do not accept the referendum result and may legally challenge the legislation.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said it is likely to be January before the D\u00e1il will be able to give full effect to the will of the people.<\/p>\n
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCog) said women in Northern Ireland should be able to access abortion care services within their own country.<\/p>\n
RCog president Professor Lesley Regan said following the referendum outcome women in Northern Ireland now face one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current legal situation means healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland struggle to provide support for women requesting an abortion or safely manage any post-abortion complications,\u201d Prof. Regan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognize that this is a highly politicized issue but the current situation is unacceptable and leaves doctors, nurses and midwives working in a precarious legal vacuum in this core part of women\u2019s sexual and reproductive healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that while the decision by the English and Scottish Governments to fund abortions on the NHS for women from Northern Ireland was an important step forward, it remained unacceptable that these women must travel overseas when faced with an unwanted pregnancy.<\/p>\n