Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Like Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, I believe the fact the witnesses deal with women in the early stages of pregnancy means they are the women's sole carers. This is the time when most abortions take place so their testimony is very important. The circumstances outlined by the witnesses in their contribution tally with the evidence we heard yesterday. The reasons women choose to have an abortion do not coincide with some of the reasons often supposed, such as when rape is involved or in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities. If this committee was to advocate reasons-based access to abortion do the witnesses believe it would meet the need of women to access abortion services? In order to protect the health of women, would it not be better to allow early availability of abortion, that is in the first 12 weeks, with no restriction? Would that meet the needs of women who currently present to doctors for diverse reasons? What is the best way for them to get access to abortion to improve their health?