Most Reverend Dr. Michael Jackson:

I will first address the question of formal notification - I know it sounds rather cold and in the third person, but that is not what is intended. The formality of it is that it would be, as it were, structured in part of the system. The notification is more than information; it has to do with consultation.

In regard to the whole question which has been raised as to a referendum, I made it very clear in our presentation that our concern would be for legislation. I say that specifically because I bring us back to the distinction or, if not distinction, the suggestion I made with regard to the real and substantial risk to the life of the mother and strict and undeniable medical necessity. I believe that is where the legislation is needed.

If I can introduce a further point, I would like us to hold together the relationship between an emergency and a crisis.

My understanding of a crisis is that it is a succession of decisions where one applies a protocol which underpins actions which are taken in an emergency situation. This is where we tie together the range of moral expressions and theological frameworks we have heard this morning with the medical and nursing delivery, the human responsibility and conscience, and the contributions faith groups and others who are not members of world faiths make to a democracy. These are the sorts of things I would like to say in response. Theology develops but so also does the understanding of embryology. We must be very careful that a number of things move forward organically. It is important in a democracy to keep these balls in the air.