Dr. Ruth Fletcher:

I agree that, in terms of the criminalisation of attempts, the category is too broad. This is a problem. I am against the criminalisation of attempts, as it would bring the law into dispute if behaviour intended to result in the destruction of unborn life was unsuccessful. It would be contradictory in its objectives. I hope that I have understood the Deputy's point correctly.

I may have cited two different examples together in a desire to answer several questions. In response to the point that Deputy Catherine Byrne is raising now regarding forms of life, brain dead life is a biological form of life sustained by a machine. There is value in the example in that sense.