Dr. Ruth Fletcher:

They do not indicate a need to stray from the principle of consent in relation to abortion treatment but they might indicate a complex range of reactions which coexist. This means we need good quality counselling services and support measures and there is, through the HSE, public funding of counselling and support, both pre and post abortion care. This can be built on as the abortion care service develops. There are different regulatory tools for different purposes and public funding of counselling and information would address the Deputy's concerns.