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Harris accused of letting abortion protest exclusion zones 'fall off the agenda'

The group that staged a protest outside the National Maternity Hospital with three small white coffins plans to return this Saturday.

MINISTER FOR HEALTH Simon Harris has been accused of letting legislation to introduce protest exclusion zones around maternity hospitals fall off the government’s agenda.

Pro-life protesters staged a demonstration with three white child-size coffins outside the National Maternity Hospital last weekend. This group is planning to return this Saturday.

Exclusion zones were not included in the legislation for abortion which was passed last December as the Department of Health said a number of legal issues were identified with proposals during the drafting process.

However, the minister said in February this year that the government aimed to have draft legislation prepared by summer.

He described the recent protest as “grossly insensitive” and said it can not be “tolerated or accepted”. 

The minister said proposals on safe access for women to maternity hospitals have “taken far longer than I expected” but that he hopes to have them “shortly”. He said he wanted to assure women and healthcare staff that there is existing legislation in place to protect them. 

Labour Senator Ivana Bacik has accused the minister of allowing the issue to “fall off the agenda”.

She said women accessing healthcare have now been left to deal with the fallout.

“Nobody should be shamed or judged while entering a GP’s surgery. Nobody should have to see the images and props used by these groups as they leave a maternity hospital,” she said.

“Exclusion zones restricting protests which obstruct access to abortion services are in effect already in other countries, including parts of Canada, Australia, and the US.

“The law providing for access to abortion services is not enough, we must ensure that women have safe access too.”

Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone today said she will be seeking exclusion zones “as an absolute priority” in the new Dáil term.

She said the actions of the group outside the National Maternity Hospital “remind us once again of the urgent need” for this legislation, which “should have been passed by now”.

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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:35 PM

    Congrats Victoria Mary & Shane – Great songwriter

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    Mute John Ryan
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:43 PM

    The fact he’s actually still alive is astounding…the amount of abuse the human body can take and still keep on chugging is amazing…

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    Mute Terrence Edwards
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:32 PM

    He’s the same age as me but could pass for my father

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    Mute Deborah Blacoe
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:39 PM

    @Terrence Edwards: does your father have hair?

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    Mute Loretta stiletto
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:42 PM

    @Terrence Edwards: really…. in your opinion

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    Mute Rob Ryan
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:59 PM

    @Terrence Edwards: are there no mirrors in your house chief?

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    Mute Shea Carroll
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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:09 PM

    @Terrence Edwards: Very important information. Please keep us posted if you have any more insights

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    Mute Bertrand Bonquer
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    Nov 27th 2018, 3:00 PM

    @Terrence Edwards:
    Eh no. No he wouldn’t.

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    Mute Aine Power
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:58 PM

    Best songwriter I have ever listened to.

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:52 PM

    @Aine Power: great man to pen a lyric. Lullaby of london is probably my personal favourite

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Nov 28th 2018, 2:14 AM

    @Aine Power: He’s famous for 1 song really but he can only take credit for 50% of that Christmas jingle?

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    Mute Mari
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:52 PM

    Big congrats guys

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    Mute Danny Ennis
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    Nov 27th 2018, 4:07 PM

    I’d say that was some session

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    Mute damo.f
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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:45 PM

    What a lucky gal she is.

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    Mute Ann Moynihan
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    Nov 27th 2018, 7:50 PM

    @damo.f: you have got to be joking!!!

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    Mute Deborah Blacoe
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    Nov 27th 2018, 8:32 PM

    @Ann Moynihan: why must he be joking?

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    Mute Rory Mackle
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    Nov 27th 2018, 6:56 PM

    Complete legend hope has a few good years of happiness A pair of brown eyes one of the greatest songs ever

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    Mute Dunn
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    Nov 27th 2018, 5:06 PM

    Huge congratulations.

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    Mute Brian Smith
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    Nov 27th 2018, 7:20 PM

    She now has a husband and a child to look after, all in one ceremony

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    Mute Rory Mackle
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    Nov 27th 2018, 6:56 PM

    Complete legend hope has a few good years of happiness

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    Mute Damien
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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:41 PM

    Shes one lucky lady.

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    Mute Damien
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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:31 PM

    Imagine waking up to that beautiful face beaide you in bed every morning. Shes a lucky lady.

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