Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the three witnesses for attending. My questions are primarily for Dr. Sam Coulter-Smith. He referred earlier to the ethical dilemma with regard to suicidal intent. Does that ethical dilemma still exist personally or professionally if a patient in his hospital is prescribed a termination of pregnancy by her psychiatrist?

Dr. Coulter-Smith referred also to the ethical dilemma he would have about delivering very premature babies and the conditions which might arise thereafter. Who is currently responsible for delivering premature babies in circumstances, for example, of severe pre-eclampsia or other, what might be termed, medical conditions which give rise to a medical intervention?

I apologise if I am wrong, but I think Dr. Coulter-Smith mentioned in his presentation that he feels the introduction of the legislation could lead to an increase in abortions. Can he explain how and why he feels that?