There are fresh calls on the Health Minister to introduce safe zones to protect women around buildings where terminations are being carried out.
It comes following a demonstration of around 100 people outside the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street in Dublin.
Right here (national maternity hospital), right now 1/1/20; wonder why we need exclusion zones @LeoVaradkar @SimonHarrisTD - beneath the windows of a postnatal ward, in front if people leaving after a miscarriage, with small coffins, crosses and unsavoury images. pic.twitter.com/DXBVWXw0GB
— Mary Higgins (@mairenihuigin) January 1, 2020
New Years Day marked the first anniversary of abortion services being made available in Ireland.
It's over 18 months since the country voted to repeal the 8th amendment.
Charles Byrne is one of the organisers behind yesterday's demonstration - he says he maintains the right to protest:
"The idea that a majority can take away the right to life is absurd. It is nonsense."
Many people have said that demonstrations like this happening around maternity hospitals are intimidating.
"There are a small number of women going into the maternity hospital who are accessing abortion services. But there are many, many women going in for lots of maternity-related things," said Orla O'Connor from the National Women's Council of Ireland.
"A woman going in, perhaps about a miscarriage, or someone going in being pregnant having previously experienced a miscarriage and are very worried about their pregnancy."
Meanwhile, Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone says that there are issues with bringing in legislation on exclusion zones:
"It is a priority for the Minister. But there are significant legal complexities that have led to this delay. It should be a priority for first thing in January. It could be problematic if there is a change in Government."
Minister Simon Harris has said that meetings will take place in the coming weeks about progressing legislation.
