Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. We have heard from all the medical professionals, including the psychiatrists, who, while they might not agree on some aspects of the heads of the Bill, agree that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal intent or a suicidal pregnant woman. My question - courtesy of Deputy Timmins - is as follows. Are we now actually legislating for abortion to be a treatment for a suicidal pregnant woman? Is that what the legislation asks us to do?

I wish to address the situation of the viable child. At 22 or 24 weeks, where this decision comes to be made, there could be an early delivery of a child with a disability that he or she will have to live with for the rest of his or her life. Who is protecting that child? I know Mr. O'Connor declined to answer some questions from Deputy Fitzpatrick. Given that we are discussing heads of a Bill and not specific clauses, I respectfully suggest we are entitled to consider everything that flows from this. Who will stand up for and protect this child from any such injury or disability with which he or she might have to live for the rest of his or her life? Would the child potentially have a cause of action against his or her own mother, the surgeon or the people who made the decision?

How robust is the requirement to have the professionals to assess this? We have already heard obstetricians say that it is a psychiatric decision.