Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I want to express my gratitude to those present for attending the hearings this morning. I have just a few questions.

If a patient has stated that she is suicidal but is not suffering from mental illness, what other course is available to a doctor under head 4 other than to grant permission for an abortion?

What criteria will be used to make an objective judgment in the case of a patient who is suicidal but not suffering from mental illness? As psychiatrists, are they aware of any other life-changing decisions that a psychiatrist would recommend as treatment where a person is suicidal?

As psychiatrists, do they consider themselves competent in an expert sense to judge the risk of self-destruction of a patient who has stated that she is suicidal but is not suffering from any other mental illness?

Where a termination is being considered under head 4 near to the point of viability of the unborn child, what steps should be taken to deny a termination so as to improve the chances of survival for the unborn child?