THE Republic would have an "epidemic of illegal abortions" and a "massive increase" in maternal mortality if women were unable to access abortion in the UK, a senior doctor has warned.
Dr Peter Boylan, of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said it is well-documented that in countries where abortion is banned, the rate of women dying "remains high".
Giving evidence yesterday to the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment, Dr Boylan said around 70,000 women die each year from complications relating to unsafe abortion.
"It is equally well-documented that countries with liberal laws, and easy access to contraception, have lower rates of abortion than those with restrictive laws," he said.
"Women in Ireland with financial resources have access to termination of pregnancy, primarily in the UK.
"However, women who are poor, in the care of the state, or refugees for example, do not have such access.
"Without access to abortion in the UK it is inevitable that Ireland would have an epidemic of illegal abortions and a massive increase in maternal mortality."
He also warned that the grave concern for doctors is the potential for harm caused by the use of unregulated medication by Irish women and girls.
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, who wrote the report examining the death of Savita Halappanavar, told the committee, said abortions can be life-saving in certain conditions.
"Those women with influence and financial resources will get it performed in a safe environment. Those who are poor with less influence will resort to unsafe methods," he said.
The committee has been discussing what recommendations it will make on the position of the Eighth Amendment - which was introduced in 1983 and recognises the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn child - with a vote on the issue expected in the next few weeks.
