DUBLIN — Ireland's parliament voted to remove a mandatory three-day waiting period for abortions during early pregnancy. The bill passed with 86 deputies in favor and 70 against.

The legislation will move to a parliamentary committee for review before it can become law. Current law mandates a three-day waiting period between an initial consultation for an abortion of up to 12 weeks and obtaining the necessary medication. The waiting period was included in draft legislation before the 2018 referendum.

A 2022 legislative review conducted by barrister Marie O'Shea recommended removing the three-day waiting period. Official records show that approximately 10,400 women did not return for a second abortion consultation following the waiting period between 2019 and 2024.

The ruling coalition of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael permitted its deputies to cast free conscience votes on the matter. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris voted in favor of the bill, as did several other coalition and opposition deputies.

Leader of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald stated, "Women, healthcare providers and campaigners have long called for this unnecessary barrier to be removed." Fine Gael deputy Barry Ward also supported the bill. Ward said, "We have to presume that women will think long and carefully about such an important decision and the presence of a mandatory three-day waiting period assumes the opposite." He added, "You don't have to think abortion is a good or desirable thing to believe that it is a matter for each individual to make the decision if it is the right thing for them." Fianna Fáil junior minister Robert Troy said, "Some voters had backed abortion legalisation on the basis of certain protections and safeguards, including the three-day wait."