Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have three questions for Bishop Jones. In the event of a further referendum, which presumably would be to set aside the judgment in the X case, is it envisaged that such referendum would set aside the decisions of the people in two previous referenda whereby the provision in respect of suicide was retained? On rape, is it the position of the Catholic Church that the victim of rape, which in itself is a criminal offence against the person, should live with the consequences of that rape regardless of her wishes, including in cases of statutory rape and rape of a person with special needs? Is it accepted that legislators should be expected to validate the decisions of the medical profession when faced with situations whereby, as already pointed out, there may be a question as to whether the life of the unborn may be sacrificed in order to protect the life of the mother or is it anticipated that such situations might be determined in a further referendum given the experiences of the past?