Access to abortion pills from online providers is increasing rapidly. This is a public health issue that we cannot ignore. But as long as the 8th Amendment is in the Constitution there is nothing we can do about it. The medical experts who addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee (JOC) were clear: women and girls in Ireland who are currently accessing abortion are not receiving an acceptable standard of healthcare. 2-5 women a day in Ireland risk accessing abortion care illegally by ordering abortion pills online. In doing so they risk a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Abortion pills are on the World Health Organisation list of essential medicines, but doctors in Ireland cannot prescribe the pills because abortion is illegal. This means that women who take the pills ordered online do so without medical supervision or support.
Voting YES to remove the 8th Amendment will allow laws to be put in place to provide safe medical care within the Irish health system.