Professor Veronica O'Keane:

We cannot replicate those findings. There are some studies in countries such as some African states that do not have abortion services or de factoabortion services in a nearby state. The studies are not highly academic because they cannot be. They have to be based on observational or empirical work rather than testing a hypothesis. However, such studies in those countries indicate that suicide occurs because of an absence of the option of abortion. However, we are in the unique situation that we cannot test any such study in Ireland. That is why colleges in the UK such as the Royal College of Psychiatrists, with which we have a very close relationship, tried to answer the question that kept being brought up in Ireland of whether there are adverse mental health outcomes from abortion. Although Ireland was not specifically mentioned, the colleges repeatedly made the point that the question cannot be answered for any country that does not have abortion services. They were very clear about that and it was very helpful of them to do that study because it has informed the debate here. That is why I was somewhat surprised when Deputy Fitzpatrick said abortion has adverse effects on women's mental health. Did Deputy Murphy ask another question?