Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Following from Deputy Fitzpatrick's last question, what happens in a situation where someone has refused alternative interventions? How would this situation be dealt with by psychiatrists? The College of Psychiatry of Ireland's submission is very clear that suicidal assessment should be left to the psychiatric profession. How does this fit into the system of multi-disciplinary medical teams?

How does it stand with regard to the tests that must be included in the psychiatric assessment regarding the need to preserve the life of the unborn? What are the particular skills of psychiatrists in making that assessment if they are doing so on their own? The witnesses have stated that obstetricians should not be involved in this part of the decision, yet in the submission it is stated that child psychologists should deal with children but that perinatal psychologists should not necessarily deal with adults. I ask the witnesses to elaborate on that point. There seem to be contradictions in the presentations.

What happens if the risk of suicide is as a result of non-fatal but serious life-limiting foetal abnormalities? I am trying to find out the differentiation between early delivery and induction prior to viability. In the case of a patient with a medical illness, the obstetricians endeavour to continue the pregnancy in so far as it is possible but in some cases where the woman wishes to have a termination - please correct me if I am mistaken - I presume it is important that induction would take place prior to viability. How do doctors deal with such a situation if the woman presents late with a non-fatal serious foetal abnormality which is very close to that 22-week threshold of viability?

Dr. John Sheehan made the point that the procedure in the legislation contradicts good practice in psychiatry. I ask him to elaborate. I ask him to give his views on the fact that with regard to infanticide, women who have recently delivered are treated differently from anyone else in society who may be accused of murder.