Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
854. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that exist to ensure that healthcare professionals who do not wish to participate in abortions can exercise freedom of conscience in this regard during their training as doctors, nurses and midwives and or pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37675/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, section 22 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 deals with conscientious objection by medical staff in relation to the provision of termination of pregnancy services.
This section states that where he/she has a conscientious objection, a medical practitioner, nurse or midwife shall not be obliged to carry out, or participate in the carrying out, a termination of pregnancy.
In the event of a doctor, nurse or midwife having a difficulty in undertaking a required medical procedure, he or she will have a duty to make arrangements for the transfer of the woman’s care to a colleague.
The Act makes it clear that conscientious objection cannot be invoked in an emergency situation, when the risk to a pregnant woman’s life or health is immediate.
Conscientious objection is limited to persons involved in the delivery of the treatment only and does not extend to any other persons, or to institutions.
