Hoey calls for removal of three-day wait for abortion medication

Labour Senator Annie Hoey is calling for the abolition of the mandatory 3-day waiting period to access abortion medication.

Senator Hoey said that the three-day waiting period serves as a “major impediment for women attempting to access crucial reproductive healthcare services.”

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “not convinced” that the waiting period was a barrier to people wanting to access abortion medication.

Discussing the findings of the O’Shea report, which looked at how the Irish healthcare system has changed since the Repeal referendum in 2018, Martin said “to me, the more fundamental issue is the provision of services at the hospital sites. That to me is my issue but I’m not convinced the three days is as big a barrier as suggested.”

Responding to Martin’s comments, Hoey replied: “the Tánaiste says he is not convinced, but The O’Shea report unequivocally recommends its removal, acknowledging that this ‘reflection’ time is unnecessary and places an undue burden on those in need.”

“The removal of the three-day wait is not just about women’s autonomy; it’s about reducing the workload for our dedicated healthcare professionals,” she noted.

“GPs, who are committed to providing abortion care, would benefit significantly from this change. No one seeks an abortion without thoughtful consideration, and the three-day wait only hinders the process without adding any meaningful value.”

“The Irish Family Planning Association’s analysis reveals that the overwhelming majority of women attending their first appointment for abortion care proceed to the second appointment. Insisting on a paternalistic approach, the  Tánaiste’s insistence on maintaining the three-day wait is simply impractical. No other patient is subjected to such unnecessary delays when seeking essential healthcare.

“It is time to eliminate the three-day waiting period. Furthermore, we must ensure that the right to a telemedicine appointment is universally accessible to all women, providing a practical and inclusive approach to reproductive healthcare,” she sad.