Updated 14:10
Laws to make abortion legal have been approved by the Cabinet.
More than four months after the Irish people voted overwhelmingly to repeal the Eighth Amendment, the laws allowing abortion to take place have been signed off by ministers.
The Thirty-Sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018 was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins last week.
The proposed legislation, if approved by the Dáil, will allow for abortion without restriction for up to 12 weeks into pregnancy and in limited circumstances after that.
Minister Harris has said the Government is committed to providing abortions for free when the service comes in.
1,500 Irish women have had to travel abroad or procure illegal medication online for termination since the referendum. The time to legislate is now. Women have already waited too long #timetolegislate
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) September 27, 2018
He also wants to bring in safe access zones, around areas where women access terminations, to prevent them from being harassed or intimidated when going for an abortion.
Despite concerns from doctors, Minister Harris believes the new service can be in place by January 1st.
The legislation will be introduced into the Oireachtas next week, with some concerns about how pro-life TDs and Senators may try to filibuster the legislation and delay it - which would delay the introduction of abortions as a service for doctors.
Ministers have called on those TDs not to delay the legislation and to respect the overwhelming vote of the people to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said: "There is a duty on all of us who are honoured enough to sit in the Dáil and the Seanad to scrutinise the legislation - absolutely - and ask the questions on the legislation.
"But also [we must] do that in the knowledge that women today are still having to travel, and women today are still at risk because of the pill online."
He acknowledged it will cost a significant amount to bring in abortion in Ireland, but said that money will be provided in the Budget.
