Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the guests for their presentations. Am I correct in interpreting them as saying that because of Article 40.3.3° regardless of what legislation is brought into place there will not be a huge change in current practice in Ireland? They might clarify that because that is my interpretation of their presentation.

On the issue of doctors, the witnesses spoke about opening up the process and that it would not just involve qualified consultants. I seek clarification on that. Are they also talking about opening it up to general practitioners? If it is opened up in hospitals to non-consultants that will leave the hospitals wide open because all procedures must be signed off by medical consultants. I am not sure whether legislation can deal with that issue.

Regarding the changes that have occurred in Ireland in the past ten years, teenage pregnancies have decreased by 44% and the records we can get access to would also indicate that there has been a substantial decrease in the number travelling to the United Kingdom for abortions. What work do the witnesses believe we can do to try to further reduce those two figures in the next ten years?