Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Drs. O'Shea and Hanley for their attendance. It is extraordinary that there has been no mention of women who regret having an abortion in any of the evidence presented to the committee. There is no doubt that some women who travelled for an abortion regret their decision and that should be central to this debate. Groups such as Women Hurt, which comprises women who regret having an abortion, have very serious stories to tell. There is a regrettable tendency to shut their voices out of the debate but members can only benefit from hearing of their experiences. Those women get very upset when people suggest they do not exist. They do exist. It annoys me that Dr. O'Shea told the story of one woman but nobody has told the committee the stories of women who regret having an abortion.