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

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

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

'Need to look differently at issue'

Abigail Rooney from Choice Ireland says the government needs to look differently at how to reduce the number of Irish women getting abortions.

"They are happening - most of them are happening in the UK" she said.

"The only way is to bring in full comprehensive sex education, free access to contraception, a good strong social system - and we need to start looking forward and saying we can't criminalise women for this".

"We need to regulate this, and we need to do it immediately".

"I know that can't be done without a referendum, but lets ask the people" she added.

Newstalk's Political Correspondent Páraic Gallagher reports.