Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Therefore, I will respond directly to the false claims and challenge that Senator Mullen put forward. He asked for me to refer to one registered healthcare provider. I refer to the HSE, which I hope Senator Mullen will accept is a registered bona fide healthcare provider in the State. I will read the submission made by the HSE to the joint committee during pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill:

Maternity sites in Dublin have had some form of anti-abortion protests/activity on a weekly, if not daily basis since the commencement of the service in 2019. This is a practice that we have seen replicated in other regions at various intervals. This activity includes the display of religious images and messaging, graphic images of foetuses and in some instances physical and verbal aggression. There have also been targeted protests outside GP surgeries.

The detrimental impact of this behaviour cannot be overstated.

[...]

These anti-abortion protests, whether passive or active have a significant psychological impact and extend to those availing of services other than abortion services, including but not limited to, instances of pregnancy loss, stillbirth and early neonatal death.

In addition to service users, [the women and their partners, two of whom we heard powerful testimony from this morning] staff within primary and secondary care services have reported occasions where they have felt fearful on entering or exiting their work places directly related to the proximity and intensity of some anti-abortion protests.

[...]

It is hugely distressing for these staff and personnel, who have committed to providing a safe, high quality termination of pregnancy service to be exposed to intimidation whilst going about their work. Access to abortion care will remain vulnerable in an environment where providers are threatened, harassed or subjected to intimidating behaviours.

That is the testimony of the HSE.