BSACP Comment on the Republic of Ireland Referendum

26 May 2018

The British Society of Abortion Care Providers (BSACP) welcomes wholeheartedly the ‘Yes’ vote in yesterday’s referendum.

The Eighth Amendment has been repealed. This means that the Irish Constitution can no longer block the development of an Abortion Bill that can be brought before the Lower House (Dáil) and that would, if voted for, allow a meaningful abortion law to be put into place for the women of Ireland.

In turn this would mean that the law in Ireland would no longer bring shame on its womenfolk by forcing them to travel for legitimate health care (or to deny them care altogether if they do not have money to travel and pay the bill) but could offer this care close to their homes.

A Citizens’ Assembly of 99 members plus the chair, Judge Mary Laffoy, has already deliberated and sent a report to Parliament (Oireachtas). A joint Committee of both Houses chaired by Senator Catherine Noone took further evidence and reported in December 2017 that they had voted 12:5 in favour of legalising abortion up to 12 weeks’ gestation without restriction as to reason. We understand that politicians are ready with detailed wording of an Abortion Bill and that this could be passed by the end of 2018.

BSACP sincerely hopes that this Abortion Bill will be brought forward as soon as possible so that women in Ireland can be granted reproductive autonomy and the dignity to be able to request the care they need from the health professionals they trust.

Members of BSACP are ready to continue care for those (far fewer than at present) women whose individual circumstances will fall outside the wording of the new law.

Sam Rowlands, BSACP Secretary, on behalf of BSACP Council