Sinn Féin to Introduce Legislation to Abolish Mandatory Three-Day Abortion Wait Period

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has announced that the party will introduce legislation in the Dáil next week aimed at eliminating the mandatory three-day waiting period for abortion in early pregnancy.

McDonald stated that the three-day wait should never have been implemented, citing its serious consequences. She emphasized, «It is time for the law to change, and this would be a significant move towards compassion and ensuring barriers to women accessing healthcare are removed.»

Sinn Féin plans to move the legislation in the Dáil on Tuesday, with a vote scheduled for the following night. McDonald noted, «Since the passing of abortion legislation following the repeal referendum, there have been concerns expressed at the mandatory three-day wait and the negative implications that it has had for women.» She expressed confidence, «We believe that there is widespread support across society for removing the mandatory three-day wait and that the legislation will be passed.»

This initiative follows the defeat of the Social Democrats' Reproductive Rights Amendment Bill last month in the Dáil, which was rejected by a vote of 85 to 30. That bill sought to end the three-day wait, remove criminal sanctions from current law, and revise criteria for termination in cases of fatal fetal abnormality. Government TDs were permitted a free vote on that legislation.