In addition to the lives of unborn babies that will be lost as a result of the home abortions that take place, Deputy Nolan raised the potential for devastating health outcomes that remote consultation generates for women self-administering abortion drugs – Pro Life Campaign.

General practice is not the appropriate setting in which to deliver abortion, because of the lack of capacity in an already overstretched environment, lack of training and concerns over availability of ultrasound.

Senator accuses activists of working to “radicalise the abortion legislation and diminish even further any possible protection for unborn children”.

Pro life group says public would be right to distrust any such process after 2013 Oireachtas hearings in relation to the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill.