Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their presentations. Dr. de Faoite stated it is clear, from records he has examined, that no women have travelled to the UK for life-saving abortions. I put it to him that in recent days we have heard evidence which directly contradicts this statement. For example, a number of medics - both obstetricians and psychiatrists - indicated that it is commonplace to refer women to the UK for abortions. Perhaps Dr. de Faoite will respond on that point.

Ms O'Brien theorised about where we are going in the context of what we must do and the challenge which the Government must face up to. She referred to asking obstetricians to scrub in and intervene in order to either take the life of or deliver a child early and inquired as to what might be the consequences of such action. What the committee and the Government are attempting to do is give women choices with regard to accessing life-saving treatment. Perhaps Ms O'Brien will comment further on that matter.

In his submission, Dr. Ó Domhnaill referred to how the Government is proposing to drag psychiatrists into the draconian position of being obliged to commit women while they are being assessed in circumstances where they are unwilling to submit voluntarily to such assessment. Again, we have heard evidence to the contrary in respect of this matter. For example, a number of obstetricians and psychiatrists who came before us previously stated that in the area of medicine, best practice often involves obtaining a second opinion. At no stage was there any reference to the committal of women. Psychiatrists informed the committee that if a woman were suicidal, they would believe her. Why, in Dr. Ó Domhnaill's estimation, would we be obliged to commit women?