Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to contribute and the witnesses for attending the meeting. We have just had an important interaction on the difficulties of data compilation and the inferences or attempt to take an inference from figures. It is important to state that when the law was being drafted, we did not know how abortion practice was going to play out in this country. We now have the benefit of hindsight in that regard, yet there is still much to be done in respect of research. We have the IPA research, to which reference was made. In terms of the evidence gap that is being used to kind of cast a cloud over the proposed changes, have studies which have been done well been carried out in other countries with regard to the decisional certainty, if I may use that phrase? It would be helpful to know whether that research has been done elsewhere. I believe it has, but I would like to hear from the witnesses in that regard.