Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the expert witnesses. I refer to Dr. Anthony McCarthy's contribution earlier. We heard he was the president of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and that he was also an assessor on the confidential inquiry into maternal deaths in Ireland. I find it difficult. The witnesses are the experts and we are here genuinely trying to go through the information. Dr. Ó Domhnaill stated that it is extraordinary that the Government has seen fit to disregard all the accrued evidence in proposing legalising abortion on the grounds of suicide, yet we have heard different views from the psychiatrists, not just from masters of hospitals or anyone else. I assure the witnesses that we are genuinely trying to go through this information and take on board what is being said.

Dr. McCarthy said earlier that women should be able to avail of assessment which is individual, comprehensive, compassionate - that is very important - and not prejudged. I ask the psychiatrists before us if women coming to them will be prejudged.

Dr. McCarthy asked us to ask all the witnesses if they had ever signed a form under the Mental Health Act for the involuntary detention of a patient because he or she was at risk of endangering himself or herself.

Could it be foreseen that this might have to be done for a pregnant woman? If so, how would the case be managed? The witnesses mentioned the three in 100 that they are unsure of and I would like to know how they can be dealt with.