New proposals for exclusion zones outside healthcare centres that facilitate abortions are expected to be given to the Minister for Health Simon Harris later this week. Mr Harris has been in consultation with the Attorney General and the gardaí in relation to the planned legislation. He is due to receive a set of proposals as to how the new law will work in the coming days following these consultations. It comes after an anti-abortion protest last week saw a number of baby-sized coffins placed on the ground outside the National Maternity Hospital. “This has taken far longer than I expected but I hope to have proposals on this matter shortly. While the Department has continued to engage with the Attorney General and indeed An Garda Síochána and I want to assure women and healthcare staff that there is existing legislation in place to protect them and to protect patients,” Mr Harris said.