A protest was held in Dublin on September 26 to demand an end to the three-day wait for abortion access. Called by the Abortion Rights Campaign the march met at the Department of Health on Baggot Street and marched to the Dáil. It was supported by trans groups, Disabled Women Ireland, mental health activists, ROSA, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and the Green Party.
The speaker from Abortion Rights Campaign highlighted that still 1,500 pregnant people have been forced to travel since the passing of Repeal because the legislation is so restrictive.
People Before Profit is calling for the full implementation of the independent O’Shea report.
In 2023, it had already identified the unacceptable barriers to abortion care and recommended removing the mandatory three day wait period.
It also said that the barriers to abortion after 12 weeks should be lifted and access to abortion improved in cases of fatal foetal conditions and where a women’s health is at risk.
Brid Smith of People Before Profit put a bill to the Dáil following the O'Shea report and got it passed to second stage in the last Dáil by a significant majority. It was only recently voted down by the current Dáil.
Thus none of these recommendations have been acted on.
These restrictions remain in place while Irish women continue to join the paid workforce in huge numbers.
The government wants women’s (often low paid) labour but sees fit to not give us access to full body autonomy. It is shameful that such gender discrimination continues.
Abortion Rights Campaign Demands End to Three Day Wait
Report on the 2026 Abortion Rights Campaign march. People Before Profit call for full implement of the O'Shea report recommendations.
