Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 8 January 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland

2:15 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome each of the panellists. I note that they have all emphasised, as have others who appeared before us this morning, that the risk to the life of the pregnant woman through suicidal intent is noted only in rare instances to their knowledge. I hope it is as rare as the panellists suggest, but I must pose this question to each of them in turn: is this a reason not to legislate and regulate for the rare situations which may present and which, they have all accepted at least, can occur? I call on each of the panellists who have contributed and the others among them to answer that question. I emphasise that we in this committee are only conduits. We are not determinants in this particular situation. The information is for the benefit of those whose responsibility it is to draft legislation and regulations.

I will make only two final points because we have little time, unfortunately. There was much emphasis placed on the fact that there are only three perinatal psychiatrists in the jurisdiction. We are delighted to have all of them before us this afternoon. However, Professor O'Keane is not one of them, yet, as she has quite rightly stated, she has perinatal psychiatric expertise. I posed this question already to the Medical Council representatives this morning. Where are we short in terms of the necessary professional cover to effectively provide the necessary supports for pregnant women when issues relating to mental health, and the more serious situations that might present relating to either suicide ideation or suicidal intent, arise?

I have one final question. I am a little concerned with regard to the remarks on the suicide ground for abortion being open to abuse. I have read Professor Casey's submission and listened carefully to what she has said. This is not what she stated but it is almost a suggested subtext and I put the question to her and I hope she will take it respectfully, please. There is a suggestion that professional colleagues of Professor Casey would be complicit in such abuse. How would she answer that? That is how I read what she is suggesting, that is, if this particular aspect was opened up in terms of suicide grounds, then it would be open to abuse. Ultimately, the decision must be made by the medical practitioners and in this instance in respect of suicidal intent the decision would have to be made by psychiatrists first and foremost.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.