Dr. Eamonn Moloney:

In response to Deputy Ciara Conway, certainly, services are used to dealing with emergencies and someone in a crisis pregnancy who was suicidal would be an emergency and would be seen directly and straight away. Certainly, in the service that we run but, I would have thought, in any service throughout the country, there would be access. Whether that would be a home crisis treatment in some areas, the emergency department or attending the local unit, there would be some response. I can assure the Deputy of that.

I share her concerns about criminalisation of women. The word "compassion" was mentioned on several occasions this morning. That is the way we should look at this rather than looking at criminalising young women who are clearly in very distressing situations.

Psychiatrists and those who work in community mental health teams have an expertise in assessing suicide risk. They have an expertise in distinguishing the presence or absence of mental illness and they have an expertise in helping persons in emotionally distressing situations and crises. They can have a role in helping persons in the crisis situation to resolve that crisis and maybe helping to move her on to other services that may be able to provide more ongoing care and support.

The issue of foetal viability is a hugely complex issue that would involve much consultation with obstetricians and it is not an area to which I, as a psychiatrist, can give an answer. I think repeated reassurances have been given by obstetric colleagues that this will not lead to terminations in later stages of pregnancy or anything like that, and there should be no suggestion that this sort of legislation would lead to anything like that.

We were asked if there is a problem with the presence of two psychiatrists, and the answer is "No". I feel quite strongly that a GP should be involved. Certainly, it would lessen the burden on the individual woman. It is acknowledged that the GP has an important role to play in the heads of the Bill where it states they should be consulted where practicable. I would probably go further than that, but it is certainly workable with two psychiatrists. It just means it is an extra person to see. I suppose the two medical opinions I would see - a GP and a psychiatrist - are sufficient, but two psychiatrists would not make it unworkable in any way.

On timescale, I would hope that panels could be available. I agree with Senator Colm Burke in terms of practicality in those emergency situations which are rare. One is talking about a review panel.

On the issue of consent and capacity in under 18, I would defer to my child and adolescent psychiatry colleague, Dr. O'Grady.