Dr. John O'Brien:

There were a number of questions but perhaps I will take one or two of them. The Senator mentioned the three-day waiting period but it is not fair to say we are advocating the dumping of the three-day period and we are sharply opposed to it. We are saying that we do not have evidence to support it, which is quite separate. Of course, the guideline we produce will be evidence-based and that is where we will go.

The Senator asked what doctors want. This is not about what doctors want but about what patients need. It is important that it is framed in that way. He asked if we consulted members, specifically those who hold opposing views and views of conscientious objection with regard to the provision of abortion services. We have done so and an extensive process is under way currently. It is a qualitative process and we have created an outline document for our members. We have invited their contributions online and we are still in the process of doing that. We are not at the end of the process and it will be the end of the week before it is finalised.

The Senator asked about waiting periods for other issues. In general practice, I cannot think of another instance.

He asked about an influx of women from Northern Ireland and it is not unreasonable to expect, certainly in Border counties, that some women would avail of the services. I do not know how Brexit will affect all of this or where any of that might go.

The Senator asked most specifically about the prevention of abortion when the woman presents. That kind of goes back a little bit to Deputy Durkan's comment that the GP would advise what was the best thing for her. I have never advised anyone what is the best thing for them. I have entered into a dialogue with them as to what might be. I might present them with evidence, one way or another, but I have wanted it to be something that they owned so that it was their decision-making more than my decision-making. In terms of the prevention of abortion, it is more a question of allowing the woman to articulate what it is that has led her to the predicament that she is in and maybe explore with her what are her options in the face of that. She may very well have made up her mind as to what those options are, and so be it, or it may be that in the process of the dialogue that there may be an alternative course of action that she then chooses to follow. This goes back to the amount of time that will be available to GPs to have a discussion with patients. Every woman will come with her own unique set of circumstances and context and her wishes and her needs will need to be front and centre of all of this. The counselling services will have a bearing on that.

I am not sure, and the Senator raised the prospect of giving women sight of an ultrasound-----