Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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The last question concerns the reasons women gave for having abortions. Dr. Aiken said the most common age group was 30 to 34-year-olds and the second was 25 to 29-year-olds. A myth that is often put out is that if it became available, it would be a case of young single girls out on a Saturday night popping in for an abortion on the Monday, the concept of abortion on demand.

In fact, however, 63% are mothers already. These are women who know what it is like to have children, have experienced pregnancy already and have decided that they cannot cope at this time with another child, which the witness said was the most common reason. The second most common reason was money. That puts paid to the idea people will be popping out every week to have one if it is made available.

On rape and fatal foetal abnormality, the witness said approximately 2% of people cited rape as the reason. I think she said that fatal foetal abnormality was the reason in 4% of cases in the UK. That would be 6% of abortions in Ireland. Some people are talking about those two reasons only for the basis of legislation in this country. How would she feel if the 94% of abortions, which the witness tells us are done in the timeframe of 13 weeks anyway, were not catered for? Will women still have to rely on websites?