Dr. Brendan O'Shea:

As general practitioners we are concerned and deeply interested in our role in whatever way this develops as a societal response to the issue. We feel strongly there are incidents where general practitioners are required to be particularly involved, especially should complications arise. There is a need for a registered medical practitioner to be involved at that point. It is evident from our study of systems abroad that different configurations whereby these services can be made available are in place and acceptable. These can be compared with the current set of circumstances applying in Ireland. We know, for example, from British figures that when Irish women have terminations in the United Kingdom, they tend to be several weeks later, almost certainly reflecting the process in place for the women travelling for abortions. It is relatively straightforward to draw conclusions on the basis of medical risk.