Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Most of my questions have been answered. The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, which is on the Statute Book, provides for a 14-year custodial sentence both for clinicians and for people who procure abortion through abortion tablets. I spoke on that legislation in the Dáil and I opposed that measure, but I still cannot get my head around the idea or perception of a young girl in a bedroom in some part of this country, frightened, fearful and pregnant, taking abortion tablets, and the potential chilling effect, because it is a criminal offence, that has on that girl seeking medical help afterwards. As clinicians, do the witnesses believe that is potentially detrimental to a girl's health or life? Does it drive a wedge between the girl's relationship with her doctor because of the fact that it is a criminal offence? The witnesses might elaborate on that. In view of what is happening in Northern Ireland in the context of the seizure of abortion pills and prosecutions, do the witnesses believe that is putting at risk the health or lives of young girls especially because they might be fearful of going to a doctor thereafter?