Dr. Joanne Fenton:

In reference to Deputy Kelleher's questions, with regard to the panel and assessment, the psychiatrist is there to evaluate, to assess and to refer for treatment and it will not be a tick the box exercise. That is our role as doctors - to care for the individual and to make the accurate assessment.

With regard to the women travelling abroad for a termination, we know that there are many who attend. We do not know the specifics of each woman and what her circumstances are, but certainly there would be a number of women who are most vulnerable and have mental health issues. We cannot ignore that group and we need to be able to provide for them here. We need to be able to care for those women.

With regards to resourcing, as has been stated, there are only the three perinatal psychiatrists in Dublin. There are no other perinatal psychiatrists in the rest of the country. Psychiatric care services need to be available for all pregnant women who are attending maternity hospitals. That is essential.

With regards to Deputy Ó Caoláin's questions, I think that there will be an agreement between the psychiatrists and the obstetrician because we are there to care for the individual. We want the best available care for her. It is not about us arguing with each other but providing care for this woman. I am fairly confident that there will be agreement.

With regards to the timeframe, it should be shortened. The longer we leave a woman in distress, the greater her risk of suicide.

On the last question, we are trained as psychiatrists over many years to do risk assessments and to care for and evaluate women. That is what we are trained to do. We cannot predict the future but we are there to give the best available care to these women. That is essential.