Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

In the run up to the last abortion referendum in 2002, much play was made of the fact that substantial resources, personnel and expertise would be put in place to help people with crisis pregnancies. In recent days, at least two women, and probably many more, have resorted to backstreet abortions. This is another clear example of the failure to implement the promises made then of support mechanisms that were supposed to be put in place to help those with crisis pregnancies. The relevant Government services have failed to put those support mechanisms into action, despite all the support that was promised prior to 2002. The Leader should make immediate contact with the relevant bodies with responsibility for the delivery of such services so they can be activated on an emergency basis.