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

I welcome the witnesses. The submission from the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference states:

the report of the expert group did not present the full range of options available to Government and the Oireachtas on this issue. We believe the option of a further constitutional referendum on this issue should not be ruled out.

What is the proposal underlying this statement? Is it to roll back on the X case to reaffirm Article 40.3.3° to the position prior to the Supreme Court's interpretation of it in that case? What is the position of the conference in regard to a constitutional referendum and what would be the intention of such an amendment? Given that we have already held two referendums on the substantive issue of suicide, and on both occasions the proposed amendments to the Constitution were rejected, we need clarity on what is being proposed.

On the broader issue of legislation, do the witnesses believe legislation defined by the narrow parameters of the X case is sufficient or should we go further in respect of fatal foetal abnormalities and mental health? What are the witnesses' views on the type of legislation we should develop, if they think legislation is needed? Do witnesses believe that the X case established the fundamental principle that a termination can be provided only in the event of a threat of suicide or to the life of the mother on health grounds?