Ireland has introduced its first abortion services today following a 2018 referendum decision to liberalise the country's ban on terminating pregnancies. Laws were quickly passed following the referendum to ensure that as of midnight on Tuesday, the country's national health service was able to offer terminations free of charge. But onlookers on both sides of the debate have expressed apprehension about the country's preparations to roll out the service through the Health Service Executive. Health minister Simon Harris acknowledged that, while 'this is a very significant day for women's healthcare' it would take time to 'fully evolve and fully embed' the services within the state healthcare system.
