GPs’ vociferous objections to being co-opted by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) to execute the Government’s planned abortion regime will be aired at an Extraordinary General Meeting of its membership this Sunday.

The college is responsible for the training and education of GPs. It received a petition from over 370 of its members, calling for the EGM. In a statement, ICGP said the purpose of the meeting will be “to consult further and listen to members”. There will be no formal motions at the meeting.

According to an ICGP online survey last month, two-thirds of its members said they will not provide abortion services for various reasons, including resourcing issues and conscientious objection. Dr Andrew O’Regan, a GP based in Co Kerry has called on ICGP to ensure that members with a conscientious objection will be protected in terms of promotion opportunities and refusal to refer.

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said: “We’re asking for an open and fair discussion on this in the interest of respect for members and in the interest of a democratic process”.

Tipperary GP Dr Kirsten Fuller, who also signed the petition for this weekend’s EGM, has accused the ICGP board and Government of failing to listen to the concerns of hundreds of GPs. She warned that doctors with a conscientious objection to referral must be protected in law. Dr Fuller said “the Government and ICGP have not looked at our side of this debate and until that happens I think there will be no progress made”.