Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Friday, 17 May 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Heads of Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013: Public Hearings

10:50 am

Photo of Labhrás Ó MurchúLabhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It would have been helpful if the Minister could have remained to answer some questions on the contribution he made. Clarity is what we have all been focused on in this debate in recent times. The hearings are about the heads of the Bill.

I ask for clarification on three points which have been touched on. Is Dr. Holohan happy that the rights of the unborn child are given sufficient weight in the heads of the Bill? Is there sufficient clarity for the medical profession in that regard?

We accept that medical procedures and best practice must be evidence-based. Is Dr. Holohan happy that this is the case in the heads of the Bill when it comes to suicidal ideation?

The Minister is on record as saying that where a child survives and where the mother does not wish to parent the child, the child will be placed in State care. Is Dr. Holohan happy that this issue is covered in the heads of the Bill? If it is not covered, does he not believe it is a serious omission?

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