Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Okay. I might push back against it. I want to draw Ms O’Shea’s attention to probably the only bit of real evidence we had in the moment of why people voted. When asked the question on why they voted and what made up their mind, 75% said they always knew they would vote “Yes” and 1% said they were following the Oireachtas committee and the guidelines. It is a limited result for what the politicians are saying, that we presented these limitations and, therefore, we cannot let the electorate down. The witnesses are showing us the lived experience of the implementation of the law, which is welcome.

I have one final question that I think I have one minute for. On the issue of deterrence for doctors and medical practitioners to providing the service, there are a couple of things. First, did Ms O'Shea come across protests outside clinics and doctors’ spaces as being a deterrent? Second, is there medical training in all circumstances for the provision of abortion care? Third, should this be extended to allow midwives, nurses, etc.. to provide it, particularly when it is medicinal abortion, that is, meeting patients, giving them the pill and checking they are okay afterwards?