Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise if I was trying to badger the Chairman a little bit in the last session, but I had a few important points to make. I would like to ask the panel about Women Hurt. I was deeply offended at the last session when Dr. Ferguson stated that people who are dissatisfied set up pressure groups.

Professor O'Keane said that there are 150,000 women out there who have had abortions and - I forget the exact terminology - not that many must have been affected because they have not come forward. Have any of them come forward to the witnesses? My understanding is that Women Hurt was invited in here and everybody was invited to hear them. They sent an invitation to everybody. They are still available for people to talk to. My understanding is that many of the people in that organisation have lied about the impact of their abortion and have not even told their psychiatrist about the abortion. They just recount their difficulties and look for a cure without coming up with a solution. I would like to hear the witnesses' views on that.

There appears to be a division and while it is not a clinical matter, it is important. This morning I asked Dr. McCarthy about the survey he referred to concerning 113 or 120 people. He questioned the accuracy or authenticity of it. One of the other speakers did also. Perhaps the witnesses could elaborate on that. I was surprised when I heard Dr. Sheehan. It appeared to me that he had not participated in the College of Psychiatrists survey, although I may be wrong. I would like to know if the witnesses got the one from the college, of which there are 864 members. Do we know how many people responded to that? I asked that question this morning but I did not find out. Perhaps the witnesses have that information.

I have a couple of points following Professor O'Keane's talk this morning. I will be brief but it is important. These questions are for Professor Malone. Professor O'Keane made a written submission on 9 May, which was circulated this morning.