David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a follow-up question. I support the recommendation that medical providers should be obliged to record refusals of care on the grounds of conscience and to detail the services they refer women and pregnant people to. That is important. As much data as it is possible to record should be recorded, because that will inform us about this aspect. It should not only inform this review itself, but ongoing reviews of service provision.

The NWCI's opening statement goes on to outline the importance of supports from local maternity hospitals for GPs. This is an important point. We also know that not all maternity hospitals are providing abortion services. My understanding is that the Act itself allows for individual clinicians to conscientiously object but not for institutions to do so. Would it be the NWCI's view that there is the possibility that some maternity hospitals are institutionally not providing the service, or is this coming down to individuals? I ask that because I wonder how some maternity hospitals could not be providing any services. I would like a comment on that aspect first.