Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 10 January 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland

12:30 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

From all the evidence we have heard from the speakers, I note there is no disagreement that there needs to be some mechanism to implement the judgment of the European Court of Justice. The evidence we have heard from everyone is that there needs to be clarification regarding the current Medical Council guidelines and practices. Dr. de Faoite made the point that the current Medical Council guidelines are crystal clear. However, as I understand it, the current guidelines have extended the grounds for the termination of pregnancy by comparison with previous editions. The guidelines cover suicidal ideation. Under the guidelines as they stand, a single specialist could make a determination. The evidence we have received suggests that up to four specialists should sign off on a determination in a given case. The guidelines will vary based on the composition of the Medical Council from five-year term to five-year term. The people have absolutely no input in this regard. Based on that, does the delegation not believe that there is a need to legislate and set in statute what should be allowed, making reference to the current guidelines rather than basing judgments on the next electoral college and next group on the Medical Council?

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