The health committee heard today of the shortcomings in abortion provision in Ireland. One woman in the west had to contact seven GPs before being able to access a termination. Another migrant woman, who is a victim of sexual assault, had to attend the same GP three times but was unable to receive care. These obstacles compound the trauma of a crisis pregnancy for far too many. I commend Marie O’Shea, who chaired the independent review of our abortion law, and ask the Minister if the Government will agree to take up her recommendations and the calls made in submissions to the consultation on the legislation, including in the Labour Party submission? Will the Government take those up and act now, to deal with logistical shortfalls and problems with, for example, only 11 out of 19 maternity hospitals offering the service and the lack of availability of GPs providing abortion services across many counties? Will it also move to make the legislative changes necessary, in particular to remove the paternalistic mandatory three-day waiting period?

We are all aware of the huge importance of this as a healthcare policy. We are also aware of the important report the Government and Oireachtas received on the matter. On the operational points the Deputy raised, we in the Government appreciate their seriousness. We have requested that the HSE put in place an implementation group to respond to the important operational issues raised in the provision of this vital healthcare service to women. Regarding legislative changes to which the Deputy referred, the Government has decided - which I think is appropriate - to allow the Oireachtas to consider the report, after which the Government will reach a considered response to the report.