Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending the committee. My first question is for Dr. Kevin Walsh and Dr. Janice Walshe. I am trying to tease out the pathway for a woman making a decision. I imagine that she would have seen a specialist prior to finding out that she had become pregnant and must make a decision. The witnesses stressed that such cases are rare, but does Dr. Kevin Walsh agree with Dr. Janice Walshe that two specialists should be involved? Does the legislation before us confirm what the witnesses are doing in practice, or will it place obstacles in their way? I am trying to understand the role the legislation will play in medical practice.

Head 4 provides that the psychiatrist must be employed by an approved centre. Mr. Saunders indicated that not everybody works at an approved centre. Can he suggest a form of language that would ensure we do not get into a situation in which lists must be drawn up of those who will or will not do something? How can we develop a system that is balanced and fair? I note his comments on the silence of the legislation with regard to children. As several witnesses have raised this issue, it is something we will have to address.