Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important element of the legislation and we have to respect the rights of conscientious objectors in all parts of the profession. We must recognise they have concerns that are entitled to be catered for, and we must cater for them. I note the 650 doctors who have signed the petition to the effect that they do not propose to participate. In his reply perhaps the Minister will give some indication of the impact this is likely to have on the overall service available to women in the State.

Other branches of the medical service such as midwives, nurses, trainee doctors - to which the Minister has referred - are also important enough to be provided for in the primary legislation for two good reasons. The first reason is to observe the spirit of the letter of what has been said and promised before. The second reason is to ensure that it is possible to provide alternative readily available services so that women may be able to know where to go without having to make phone calls or do a check. They may have to go in an emergency. They should know before they travel to a particular GP practice if they will or will not receive a service. They should not have to do two or three journeys to find that out. I am aware that the helpline will eliminate some of that. Envisage, however, a situation where a woman might have multiple emergencies - for some reasons outside of her control - and her ability to surmise may be compromised. At this stage it would be better to have a simplified system; a belt and braces system whereby in the first instance the woman would be able to gain access to a medical practice where she knows she will receive the treatment first hand and where she knows she will not put pressure on the conscientious objector or put her own life - or her baby's life - at risk.

I say that on the basis that people may not have made up their minds about what the procedure should be at this stage, and may change their minds. The provision of this service is critically important. I note what the Minister has already said, but it would do no harm to refine it a little to take into account the points I have just raised, with a view to ensuring that the service is available in every region so that the woman does not have to travel 100 miles in order to access basic services. Some medical practitioners in any given practice might have conscientious objections, but others may not. I presume that a situation of co-existence will prevail, whereby those who wish to offer access to abortions can and those who have conscientious objections are not forced into providing it.