Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said it is “totally and utterly unacceptable” that just eight of the country’s 19 maternity hospitals are not carrying out abortions. This is often for reasons of conscientious objection.
Mr Donnelly said he is working closely with the HSE to bring that figure to 17 hospitals this year and to 19 early next year.
He did not say how that will square with the conscience protections of medical staff.
