Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. It is really useful to have the perspective of GPs because of the relationship they have with patients and also, as Dr. O'Shea said, the fact that in the early months, it is primarily the GP that deals with the issue.

Dr. Hanley spoke about rogue agencies. Can she say how big an issue this is? Is she aware of any advice being given? There is no process of referral. One can give a patient a chart but one cannot engage with a health provider in another jurisdiction. How much difficulty does that cause for the health of the woman concerned?

Dr. Hanley said abortion rates are lowest where contraception is most available. Are there still barriers to accessing contraception in Ireland? Would reducing barriers and allowing more effective access to contraception be more effective in reducing the number of abortions than allowing the issue to be a criminal one, as we do now? I know Dr. Hanley does not want to make a direct statement on the eighth amendment but she certainly implied that it makes it very difficult for GPs to deal with their patients adequately.