Professor Siobhán Mullally:

There was a point on who should be making the decision. In our statement, the expanded policy document and previous submissions, we have expressed concern that barriers to accessing health care services might be put in place because of onerous certification procedures and requirements. We also expressed that concern with the 2013 legislation. Therefore, we recommend that any legislative or regulatory framework that may be put in place not repeat those barriers, which can cause unnecessary delays, trauma and, potentially, revictimisation for a woman or girl seeking access to abortion services. Therefore, it is essential that there be clarity in any legislative and regulatory framework regarding the decision-making process without the imposition of those onerous barriers.