Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I have two quick questions for the witnesses. Virtually every speaker who has come before the committee to advocate for the legislation uses the following line: “This Bill is about saving women’s lives.” Could the witnesses comment briefly on that because some, myself included, who might have concerns about the legislation, feel quite angry at the insinuation that people with questions about the Bill are somehow not concerned about women’s lives?

Second, a philosophical question is often asked of politicians, which is difficult for us to answer because we are politicians, but it might be easier for the psychiatrists to answer. It is what one would say to a parent of a 14 year old child who is a victim of rape or other dreadful crime. Is there a humane approach?