Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I may be wrong but as I understand it there are only three perinatal psychiatrists in this country. I would be surprised if one of those people was not a member of the expert group. Perhaps Dr. McCarthy will confirm if that is the case.

With regard to the survey referred to by Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, as politicians we accept the bona fides of everybody's evidence. Where a conflict of information or view arises, we try to drill down and find the basis for that conflict. It is clear to me based on what I heard in January and today and from various submissions I have received, that there is clear division within the profession of psychiatrists. Unfortunately, it is that profession with whom the buck will ultimately stop. I do not envy them their position. Dr. McCarthy stated that many in the profession predominantly believe that this is a social and political issue. Unfortunately, it has landed at the door of professional psychiatrists.

Dr. Boylan mentioned on Friday that the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, which is an elected decision-making body representing more than 864 members, made a single submission on behalf of all members. I note Dr. Boylan is not a psychiatrist and may not even be a member of that body. If I understood Dr. Sheehan correctly that survey was made available to members this morning. Were all 864 members surveyed and what, if any, was the response? I note some of the witnesses were agitated about only 113 people having been surveyed, which issue I will take up with the drafters of the survey, some of whom may be here this afternoon. It is a serious issue if people are misrepresented in that survey.