The letter has provoked a lot of debate online.
Eight hundred and thirty eight doctors from 44 countries around the world have this week signed an open letter calling for the decriminalization of abortion.
The letter, which was published by Amnesty International today, has also been signed by a number of Irish healthcare professionals and states that the lives of women and girls are at risk "when abortion is criminalized".
“The criminalisation of abortion prevents healthcare providers from delivering timely, medically indicated care in accordance with their patients’ wishes,” the letter states.
“It impedes and disregards sound medical judgement and can undermine the professional duty of care and confidentiality that doctors bear towards their patients.
“We, the undersigned medical health professionals, call for the decriminalization of abortion in order to uphold the rights to life, health and bodily autonomy of women and girls," it concludes.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Dr. Peter Boylan stated: “Under the current law, we must wait until women become sick enough before we can intervene.
“How close to death do you have to be? There is no answer to that.”
Have your say on the issue in our poll below.
