merrion street

The Government today published the Report of the Expert Group on the judgment in A, B and C v Ireland. This report provides background information on the topic of termination of pregnancy in Ireland, and sets out options for the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the A, B and C v Ireland case.

On foot of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the A, B and C v Ireland case, and to fulfil a commitment included in the Programme for Government, the Government established an Expert Group to make recommendations on how this matter should be properly addressed.

The terms of reference of the Group were as follows:

• To examine the A, B and C v Ireland judgment of the European Court of Human Rights.
• To elucidate its implications for the provision of health care services to pregnant women in Ireland.
• To recommend a series of options on how to implement the judgment taking into account the constitutional, legal, medical, and ethical considerations involved in the formulation of public policy in this area and the over-riding need for speedy action.

The Expert Group was made up of experts in the fields of obstetrics, psychiatry, general practice, law, professional regulation and public policy. It was chaired by a judge of the High Court, Honourable Justice Mr. Sean Ryan.

Speaking after the Cabinet Health Minister James Reilly said:

I welcome the publication of this report and wish to thank the Expert Group for their commitment and their dedication to this work and for the invaluable contribution they have made in bringing clarity to this complex and sensitive issue

The Report will be available on the Department of Health Website

.