Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentations and apologise for having to leave to vote. One of the most significant statements they have made is that they are coming from a public health perspective and not promoting abortion. I am very happy to hear that. What proportion of a health budget would Dr. Johnson say the cost of abortion services would be to the State from a public health perspective? I am not asking him to be prescriptive on the actual cost. From his experience, given that in this country we have a private health insurance model, how can we encourage or mandate health insurance companies to provide cover or a plan for women? Who, in his opinion, should oversee or inspect clinics? In this country the Health Information and Quality Authority oversees and inspects different parts of the health system. Who should do it if we change our model?

I thank the delegates for their excellent presentations which were breathtakingly interesting.