Statement in Support of Retaining the Three-day Wait before Abortion
September 2026
As medical doctors in Ireland, we believe that the three-day period of reflection before an abortion procedure should be retained and that there is no clinical basis for its proposed removal.
Whilst we hold varying perspectives on the topic of abortion itself, we are united on this issue.
Based on our professional experience, the Health (Abolition of Three Day Wait Rule) (Amendment) Bill 2026 currently before the Dáil raises significant cause for concern.
Not all women who attend a GP for a first consultation on abortion are certain about their decision. A substantial minority of women change their mind in the ensuing days.
The Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics (section 15) states that informed consent should provide time for patients to consider the information before making a decision, and that the process should factor in the nature and complexity of the procedure.
Given the irreversible nature of an abortion, it is our belief that the current reflection period offers a reasonable and appropriate safeguard for women.
We urge TDs not to remove the legal provision for the three-day reflection period before a woman undergoes an abortion.
Sincerely,
- Dr. Micheal Cooke
- Dr. Kirsty Chapman
- Dr. Breda O'Sullivan
- Dr. Fiona O'Hanlon
- Dr. Larry Moran
- Dr. Bilal Bilal
- Dr. Michael Lynn
- Dr. Andrew O'Regan
- Dr. Deirdre Moran
- Dr. Brendan Crowley
- Dr. David Cronin
- Dr. Elizabeth Cullen
- Dr. Phil Boyle
- Dr. Meriel Cronin
- Dr. Laura Breen
- Dr. Eimear O Hea
- Dr. Therese Boyle
- Dr. John Kehoe
- Dr. Vasco Goncalves
- Dr. Philip Aherne
- Dr. Daniel Collins
- Dr. Deirdre Gleeson
- Dr. Katarzyna Wozniak
- Dr. Valerie B. Morris
- Dr. Aisling Bastible
- Dr. Thomas Carroll
- Dr. Shane Hurley
- Dr. Patrick Hill
- Dr. Liesl Telford
- Dr. Kirsten Fuller
- Dr. Kathleen Cahill
- Dr. Gillian Burke
- Prof. Raymond O'Connor
- Dr. George Fuller
- Dr. Trevor Hayes
- Dr. Lorraine Duffy
- Dr. Murrough Birmingham
- Dr. Miriam Hogan
- Dr. Mauro Ceita
- Prof. John Bonnar
- Dr. Anna Piekarz
- Dr. Cliodhna Donnelly
- Dr. Fionnuala Brophy
- Dr. Marcus de Brun
- Dr. Shane McCool
- Dr. Hugh Nohilly
- Prof. Patricia Casey
- Dr. Sean Curran
- Dr. Uzair Shabbir
- Dr. Bernadette Finneran
- Dr. Gary Stack
- Dr. John Casey
- Dr. Norella Broderick
- Dr. Patrick Mc Sharry
- Dr. Vincent Carroll
- Dr. Joe Moran
- Dr. Ronan Cleary
- Dr. Kevin Byrne
- Dr. Helen Barrow
- Dr. Jonathan Jacob
- Dr. Catherine O'Donohoe
- Dr. Mary Butler
- Dr. Pat Morrissey
- Dr. Jane Morrissey
- Dr. Sarah Brennan
- Prof. Eugene Breen
- Dr. James Kennedy
- Dr. Lize Du Toit
- Dr. Marie Therese McKenna
- Dr. Colm O Giollagain
- Dr. James McGrath
- Dr. Marek Lorenc
- Dr. Rachael Doyle
- Dr. Judy Ceannt
- Dr. Rachel Duignan
- Dr. David Clinch
- Dr. John O Sullivan
- Dr. William Ralph
- Dr. Aonghus Flavin
- Dr. Ruaidhri Ó Fathaigh
- Dr. Catalina Valcarcel Sierra
- Dr. Richard Gavin
- Dr. Luke Byrne
- Dr. Mary McCaffrey
- Dr. Nuala O Farrell
- Dr. Jane Holland