Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have two questions for Dr. Mills. Does he think that the evidence presented in the X case would have been sufficient to justify a termination under this draft Bill? I ask him to comment on the testimony of Dr. Sam Coulter-Smith, the Master of the Rotunda Hospital, that the inclusion of suicidal intent as grounds for a termination was not evidence-based. He said that it posed major ethical dilemmas for obstetricians and could lead to an increase in women seeking terminations. In that context, are there any other areas in medicine or medical law that Dr. Mills has come across where a treatment is legislated for that is not effective and that leads to an increase in the suicide rate?

My next question is a general one for all of the panellists and I ask that they give me a "Yes" or "No" answer. The question relates to conscientious objection and head 12. Earlier today the patient was mentioned, as were the doctors and midwives, in the context of conscientious objection. Does an institution have a right to conscientious objection, as endorsed by the Council of Europe?

Should head 12.3 be removed? I seek a "Yes" or "No" reply.