All 19 maternity units across Ireland should offer abortion services by next year, the Health Minister has said.
Stephen Donnelly was speaking after a report into Ireland's abortion laws found there is a shortage of services in the southeast, northwest, midlands and border counties.
The independent report said the uneven spread of service providers has left some women with the significant cost of travelling long distances on public transport to receive care.
This is compounded by the three-day wait between consultation and termination, which the report found is not necessary.
The report also said some counties are relying on a handful of providers, which makes the service untenable and could cause staff burnout.
Minister Donnelly told The Hard Shoulder this is a risk to services.
"The report tells us that there are over 400 GPs providing services, but in some parts of the country - in some counties - it's only a handful," he said.
"Obviously this represents a risk to ongoing services.
"So one of the things we need to do is support GPs in signing up to the scheme, in signing up to providing the services.
"There is a big focus in the report in terms of supports and training... and certainly I would encourage more GPs to sign up".
'Conscientious objection'
Minister Donnelly said 11 out of the country's 19 maternity units currently provide abortion services.
"My view, unambiguously, is all 19 maternity units should be providing these services," he said.
"I do not believe it's acceptable; I respect the conscientious objection aspect.
"In some cases, the clinical staff there simply are choosing not to provide them, in others they were citing that they didn't have the requisite supports.
"My view is all 19 maternity units should be providing them and I'm working with the HSE.
"Our aim is to get from 11 to 17 this year, and then up to the full 19 next year," he added.
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