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

I thank the witnesses for appearing before us today. My first question is directed to Bishop Jones and Fr. Bartlett. It was stated that when a seriously ill pregnant woman needs medical treatment, which may indirectly put the life of her baby at risk, such treatments are morally ethical provided every effort is made to save the life of both the mother and her baby. I would welcome comment from Bishop Jones and Fr. Bartlett on the situation where death of the baby is considered inevitable. My second question is to Archbishop Jackson, whose submission indicates that there is a variety of opinion with the Church of Ireland on what constitutes exceptional cases. Perhaps he would elaborate on that variety of opinion for the joint committee and say on what grounds he believes the Irish Medical Council guidelines are insufficient to ensure that women receive life threatening medical treatment in pregnancy.