Dr. Catherine Conlon:

I wish to add to that in terms of people trying to access care, particularly under section 11, there was a sense among those we spoke to in our research that the testimonies during the repeal debate from people who had sought termination for medical reasons had been very instrumental in moving the public – the Irish citizens – to vote for a reform of the law on abortion. This group of women found that when they actually went to access care under that legislation, it was very difficult. Of the 12 people we spoke to, four accessed care in Ireland and the others had to travel abroad if they continued to wish to access care. They felt it was a breach of what they understand the law and referendum to be about. The operation of section 12 from the service user perspective is not honouring the spirit of the referendum.