IN THE WAKE of the vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment, much of the focus has turned to how abortion services will be provided, and referred for, in Ireland in practice.

Simon Harris, Minister for Health, recently stated that the position of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP), which has voted for an ‘opt-in’ provision for doctors so they can elect whether or not to provide abortion referrals, ‘flies in the face of care and compassion’.

He further stated that while conscientious objection will be allowed, a refusal to refer will not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, writing on TheJournal.ie this morning, president of the NAGP Maitiú Ó Tuathail argues that 85% of Irish GPs are of the opinion that abortion is not, and should not be, part of routine general practice. He says that “we must respect the right of the remaining 80% who do not want to provide this service, the vast majority of whom will facilitate their patients through onwards referral to those who will”.

But what if a doctor does not wish to refer? Should that stance be respected?

We’re asking: Should conscientiously objecting GPs be compelled to refer for abortions?