Professor Kieran Murphy:

With regard to the questions raised by Deputy Terence Flanagan, which largely related to the Medical Council's guidance, as I stated earlier, the Medical Council constructs and publishes its guidance following extensive consultation. We engaged with a range of different stakeholders, including the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, to ensure the guidance we produced will be the most helpful guidance in assisting doctors in their day-to-day practice.

Senator Bradford made comments about the appropriateness of the use of non-scientific markers in the assessment of suicide. This morning, we heard the Chief Medical Officer describe psychiatry as a clinical science. It has also been noted that there are a number of markers that are associated with assessment of suicidal ideation and suicidal intent. I suggest that these questions would be more appropriately put to the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland which will come before the joint committee on Monday.

I regret that Senator Mullen does not appear to support some of the submissions of the Medical Council. It may be helpful for Deputies and Senators to understand the composition of the Medical Council. The council is a body of 25 people constituted under statute. We are the only medical regulatory authority in the world with a lay majority. Of the group of 25 people, 12 are doctors and 13 are laypersons. We very carefully consider these issues. Our primary role is to protect the public and this guides all the work we do. We take the publication of our guidance extremely seriously. We want it to be fit for purpose to ensure that doctors understand what they need in terms of how they should work. It is also important for patients to understand the standards we expect of our doctors and they should expect of their doctors. As I stated, I regret that Senator Mullen does not share the collective view of the Medical Council.