Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives. Many of the questions over the past three days have been repetitious. I have tried to find something different in each of the contributions and I believe I have found one or two matters on which the witnesses might elaborate. In Choice Ireland's recommendations, No. 3.1 refers to qualifications of doctors involved in the process. Choice Ireland recommends "that medical practitioners eligible for specialist registration, but not actually registered, be allowed to make determinations regarding risk to life." Will the representative elaborate on that and explain why she believes the 18,000 medical practitioners registered with the Medical Council are insufficient to provide the service in all the situations that could present? What does she believe can be achieved by those who are not eligible? There was an interesting witness before the committee yesterday who is a practising barrister. He is also entitled to be a registered member on the Medical Council register. Is it suggested that he would have the opportunity to make such a determination?

I thank the National Women's Council of Ireland for its presentation. It highlights a very important point. Much of what we are addressing is in the area of equality and fairness. The representative said it is important that all services are physically accessible, which many have addressed, and financially accessible, which the representative uniquely pointed out. This is an unequal society. The publication of the Health Service Executive service plan today has signalled that there will be 40,000 fewer people with medical cards this year. How does the National Women's Council of Ireland suggest that there will be equality of access to whatever range of treatments and supports that women might require?

Finally, Deputy Kelleher already raised the phraseology relating to the immediate repeal of sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Surely they must also require replacement. We cannot have a vacuum or void whereby illegal abortions in a changed situation would be allowed to take place unchallenged and without appropriate sanction.