Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Some of the questions I wanted to ask have been put so I will not repeat them. I have two questions for the Medical Council. First, the guide of professional conduct and ethics that is currently in place is the seventh edition. Prior to the current edition and subsequent to the X case decision in 2002, were similar guidelines in place and have they been replicated in the seventh edition or have they changed, based on medical practice over that period? The witnesses might clarify that point.

The second question concerns the point made by the witnesses in their submission that they do not believe specific provision should be made for emergencies. Will they elaborate as to why this specific provision for emergencies should not be made? To relate back to a fundamental point raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin - I compliment Ms Spillane on her response as she did very well in avoiding the question - the question is whether we have enough obstetricians in the country, both in terms of numbers and geographic spread, to ensure whatever provision is made in legislation can be implemented on the ground in the 19 maternity hospitals we currently have.

Following on from Deputy Ó Caoláin's question, is the council confident that sufficient specialist expertise would be available in each of the current 19 facilities in an emergency to make a determination on an individual case of the risks to an expectant mother?