A Senator has highlighted the rise of abortion in a Dáil debate on International Women’s Day.
Independent Senator Rónán Mullen called the abortion rates ‘troubling’, and explained how telemedicine access to abortion pills bypasses important safeguards.
Senator Mullen stated: “like many other Irish women and men, I am troubled by the rise in Ireland’s abortion rates.
“There needs to be a refocus to reduce abortion, specifically the dangers of basing abortion on a telemedicine model when the HSE has acknowledged that meeting a woman in person increases the likelihood of the provider identifying any coercion or domestic abuse.”
Mullen also criticised the legislation around surrogacy, calling out “the lack of attention to the mental health and other needs of women who are exploited through surrogacy”.
He also celebrated the “resounding ‘No’” from the public last year when they were asked whether wording recognising “the mother’s particular role and gift to Irish society” should be removed from the Constitution.