Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation. I have two questions. First, section 1(b) in head 4 calls for an obstetrician and two psychiatrists. A question arises as to whether an obstetrician is competent to make a decision on a psychiatric issue. For example, the evidence of an obstetrician on a psychiatric issue would not be accepted in the High Court. Should two psychiatrists make the decision and only involve the obstetrician after the decision is made?

Second, what if the expectant mother is an infant? For example, in all matters of personal injury involving infants, the courts must approve a settlement. There is no indication in the heads that the court must sign off on the decision where it is an infant who is pregnant. This is a technical issue, but it may arise at some point.