'Criminalising women seeking abortions will not save lives', health committee told

The Government is being told that criminalising women on the issue of abortion will not save lives.

Three days of hearings by the Oireachtas Health Committee are drawing to a close this afternoon with submissions from pro-choice groups.

Earlier, the Catholic Church called for a referendum to overturn the outcome of the X Case, while the pro -life campaign described the plans for legislation as "madness".

Abigail Rooney from Choice Ireland said the Government needed to look differently at how to reduce the number of Irish women getting abortions.

"(Abortions) are happening (but) most of them are happening in the UK," she said.

She called for "fully comprehensive sex education, free access to contraception (and) a good strong social system".

She added: "We...can't criminalise women for (seeking abortions). We need to regulate this immediately. I know that can’t be done without a referendum - let's ask the people."