Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My questions are aimed primarily at Professor Binchy. The medical professionals and obstetricians said yesterday that they have sometimes had to refer women to England for terminations so that life-saving treatments could be continued upon their return. They were quite clear on that. They referred them to England because they were unsure of the position here. While there was no immediate risk to the life of the mother, in all probability there was a risk to the life of the mother at some stage in the future. I would like to get some clarity on that issue. Professor Binchy said that we could clarify the grounds on which a termination could take place without legislation. It might be possible to do so by means of protocols or other guidelines. Is Professor Binchy saying that when we as legislators are considering the issue of suicide, we can ignore two referendums and the X case interpretation and choose instead to legislate on medical grounds while excluding suicide? Would a referendum be required in such circumstances?