Anti-Abortion GPs Will Have To Have To Abide By Law Once Passed

GPs will have to respect the law and refer women on for abortion even if they don't agree with the procedures, according to the Health Minister.

Speaking on RTÉ's Claire Byrne show last night, Simon Harris talked about the timing of the legislation and 'conscientious objection' for medical professionals.

Harris said that while 'conscientious objection' will be provided for, GPs will still have to refer women on for abortions elsewhere.

During the TV debates in the lead up to the referendum some GPs had said that they could not in good conscience refer women on and that they would refuse to do so if the Eighth was repealed.

“The law of the land will be very clear on that...Medical Council guidelines already deal with issues of conscientious objection and I expect the Medical Council will deal with that," Harris said.

The Health Minister also said that even if the government worked into the summer, it is unlikely the process would be completed before the end of the year.