Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee today and for their evidence. It is very helpful.

With reference to the point made about 10% of women accessing aftercare, in the event of that figure going up, even to 100%, do we have the staff and resources, and do GPs have the skills and training necessary to be able to provide that counselling and support? Is there specific training, and do all GPs avail of that? Is it considered part of general care?

Yesterday we heard from Professor Malone, who was very clear about what does and does not constitute a full range of health care for women. He was clear that he felt unable to provide what he would consider to be the full range without access to terminations. Do the witnesses share that view? Is there a psychological impact on the GPs themselves who cannot refer for the full range of services? It is important to note that doctors do not get into the business of treating women without wanting to make a positive difference.

In the event that a woman is on a medical card and the GP to whom her medical card is assigned has a conscientious objection to treating her, whether that is post-abortion care or any care related to a termination and she has to transfer to another practice, that can take a long time. Is there any provision for that? Have the witnesses encountered that? Is there anything that can be done to make it any easier?