Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday we heard from the masters of the large maternity hospitals that they did not feel restricted in offering all necessary medical assistance to pregnant mothers in a medical emergency. They further stated they were personally unaware of and had not seen examples where current law and practice had restricted the provision of all necessary care for women in these circumstances. If that is the case, why do we need to change the law?

Ms Schweppe stated "mother" and "baby" were loaded terms, an issue which was raised by a previous speaker. In fact, the European Court of Human Rights regularly uses the word "mother" and the phrase "her child" in reference to these matters. Does Ms Schweppe believe the unborn child is entitled to any right at all?

Ms Staunton states in her paper that where the health and well-being of the mother is at risk and she is not in a position voluntarily to travel abroad for an abortion, she has no option but to seek to avail of one in this jurisdiction. Ms Staunton seems to be introducing a lower test for the introduction of abortion. Will she indicate whether this is, in fact, her personal view?

Does Dr. Mills's Bill include a duty of care towards the unborn? Does he believe the unborn baby who has a foetal abnormality enjoys absolutely no constitutional protection? Will he indicate whether there has ever been a conviction in Ireland under section 59 or 60 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861?