Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witness and thank her for the clarity of her responses. I join with recent speakers in acknowledging the service that her agency provides to a great number of Irish citizens, women and their partners, service which for a range of reasons are not available here.

I want to clarify an area that was covered by Deputy Bríd Smith.

On the matter of Irish women having surgical abortions, 71% compared to 28% for female residents in England and Wales, am I correct in assuming the 72% of English and Welsh concerned opt for the medical option for reasons of perceived safety or just for convenience? As a corollary to that, if there is a safety factor, would it be of concern to Dr. Lohr's agency that such a high percentage of Irish women are not able to avail of the medical procedure? To take it a little further, would Dr. Lohr - it is difficult logistically for many as it is a stressful time - advise women perhaps to stay a little longer? Whereas Dr. Lohr referred to the fact they liked to fly in and out of the UK on the one day, it is a big decision for people to take. I wonder if Dr. Lohr would encourage them to stay a little longer and, therefore, be able to avail of both options.