Ms Alison Spillane:

I will respond to the point about data collection. The availability of surgical abortions was also mentioned. Perhaps Dr. Henchion would like to come in on that. The point about data speaks to the need to reform not only operational issues relating to abortion access but also the law itself in the form of the 2018 Act. Data collection requirements are set out under section 20 of the Act. This provision does not give us any useful public health data on the delivery of abortion care. It exceptionalises abortion and stigmatises the people who provide that care. The requirement under that section - I am sure members are familiar with this - is that every abortion that takes place in this country must be notified directly to the Minister for Health within 28 days of its occurrence. That is absolutely absurd and it is not an appropriate way to collect data on essential healthcare. It does not happen with any other health procedure, such as heart and lung transplants. Should we notify the Minister every time we carry out a cervical screen or insert a coil? It is not an appropriate way to collect data in healthcare.

Such data does not, of course, provide any identifying information about the women who access care but, on every single notification, the doctor who provided care must supply his or her medical council registration number. What message does that send to providers? We have talked a lot about conscience, non-provision and the lack of geographical coverage. What message does that send to healthcare providers other than, "We are watching you"? It is absolutely not appropriate. Instead, we need a provision that requires the HSE to publish an annual statistical report relating to trends in service delivery. We do not need to set out in legislation what types of data we collect, but the type of information that might be useful includes the age profile of women accessing care, the gestation stage they are presenting at and the uptake of contraception. This information is critical to informing service delivery and safeguarding abortion care into the future. The current provision is not fit for purpose. It is not appropriate to collect data about abortion in this way.