Dr. Margaret O'Riordan:

I endorse all the answers Professor McAuliffe has given to the questions asked. On the question addressed to the ICGP of access to the review panel and the 14 day period, yes, that would be of concern. Bearing in mind that this is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, if it is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, it implies that it is an emergency. Particularly in the case of suicide and the analysis of suicide one would have to wonder about having to wait for 14 days. Obviously in that scenario, we would have to take the psychiatrist's opinion into account but 14 days seems to be a long time.