Professor Fionnuala McAuliffe:

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked about suicidal ideation and pre-term delivery. If a woman is psychiatrically unwell, she will receive medication. I have not been personally involved in any case of a suicidal ideation requiring pre-term delivery. I revert to Dr. Houlihan and whether he is aware of such cases.

As to what numbers we are anticipating, the view of the institute is that this legislation provides a legal framework for existing, current medical practice. We are facing pregnant women whose lives are threatened by the pregnant state and need either termination or pre-term delivery. This legislation provides a process for that so that we are not working in a legal vacuum or unsure as to whether a woman's life is in immediate danger or in danger down the line. It provides us with a legal framework for current medical practice. That is our stated view.

In terms of the lack of evidence, an issue raised by Senator Rónán Mullen, the institute acknowledges that there is a lack of evidence of the role of termination of pregnancy. This poses an ethical dilemma for our members. We went through a planned consultative process and we represent the majority view within obstetrics and gynaecology in Ireland. Members will have an opportunity this afternoon to hear views from individuals and individual units, but the view presented in our submission is the majority view that emerged from a consultation process that involved consultation with the executive members and representatives of each of the 19 maternity units involved. Members are, therefore, hearing the majority view within the specialty this morning.

Deputy Timmins wondered about the clarity of the Bill. We believe it will give us a legal framework to allow us to carry out high quality medical care.

We received a request to put forward some names for the expert group and we participated in that process.

To respond to Deputy Mathews, the view of the institute is that we favour legislation plus regulation. Professor Robert Harrison will comment on our submission as I understand the committee did not receive a full written statement.