Ms Sunniva McDonagh:

I am not a medical doctor but, to take the last point first, I am dealing with the legal position in respect of the protection of the unborn and the right of the mother to every medical procedure that will save her life. I am not here to advocate a policy, such as a woman's right to choose, but I am addressing the psychiatric evidence which is available. One wonders why the entire matter has been medicalised if, in fact, the idea behind the Bill is a policy consideration that women should have the right to choose. It is not that I have a problem with anything to do with appropriate legislation, I am merely drawing the attention of the committee to what the consequences could be. I am here as a lawyer not as an advocate. I am merely pointing out that the HSE under the Health Act can enter into an arrangement with any provider provided, it seems to me, it is co-located with maternity services, etc. I am only pointing out that one could have a situation where one could have, in the grounds of a hospital, a private provider. One wonders was that what was intended, if there is to be oversight.