Abortion and the law

Abortion and the law in Ireland

Abortion is illegal in Ireland unless the pregnancy endangers the life of the woman. Ireland is only one of three European countries, with Malta and Poland that severely restricts women’s abortion rights.

Although abortion is not legally permissible, thousands of Irish women choose to travel abroad, mainly to England, to access safe and legal abortion services. It is every Irish woman’s right to access information about all of her pregnancy choices including abortion.

Abortion and the law in the UK

Abortion is legal in the UK up to the 24th week of pregnancy. However, if there is a substantial risk to the woman's life or if there are foetal abnormalities there is no time limit.

To comply with the 1967 Abortion Act, two doctors must give their consent, stating that to continue with the pregnancy would present a risk to the physical or mental health of the woman or to her existing children.