Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

All three speakers this afternoon have said they do not destroy the foetus in the termination of a pregnancy. The legislation as proposed is silent on the issue, however. Do the witnesses believe there should be clarity regarding the procedure used to terminate the pregnancy? I do not mean that it should specify the means but rather that it might refer to destruction versus induction. It seems that induction is what we are talking about here whereas the legislation is silent on the matter.

Dr. Mahony in her evidence last January said that there was no definition of substantial risk to life during pregnancy in terms of whether it meant a 1%, 10%, 50% or 80% chance of dying. Is she satisfied that she has clarity in relation to that in the heads of the Bill before us?

Dr. Tony Holohan gave evidence this morning that there may have been women who have had early deliveries due to suicidal ideation. Can each of the witnesses say whether they are aware of women falling into that category in their three hospitals? If so, what numbers have been involved?

It is clear from the heads of the Bill that for a facility to provide services under the legislation, it must be a maternity hospital, it must have psychiatric support and it must have neonatal facilities. Few if any of those facilities exist in any location currently. Can the witnesses clarify whether such facilities exist or state what challenges there are to compliance with the legislation as it is proposed to be drafted? Do they believe psychiatric support should be perinatal or simply involve a psychiatrist?

Dr. Boylan mentioned quite correctly the issue of bad science. It is vital we have clarity on that. He might comment on the reports by Professor David Fergusson who has reviewed the evidence in this area and said there is no evidence to show that a termination on a mental health basis improves the quality of the mental health of the individual.