Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Mitchell O'Connor urged me and the Government to make sure that all of the submissions were taken into account and I assure her that they will be. All submissions will be carefully considered and taken into account. She also raised the issue of the breadth of head 19 and expressed concern about the importation of abortifacients. All of those issues and concerns will be addressed. The Deputy also raised the issue of conscientious objection. She spoke about the fact that conscientious objection can be invoked by a practitioner but not by an institution. That is very important. An institution cannot invoke the protection of conscientious objection. Only an individual can do that. There is a further provision in the draft legislation that where an individual practitioner invokes conscientious objection, steps must be taken to ensure that the care is given, nevertheless, by a colleague or someone other than the person exercising that objection.

Senator Bacik asked that we look again at a number of specific issues. She raised the "appropriate location" question and I understand her point in that regard. I also understand her point about the requirement for a psychiatrist to be attached to a particular institution. Indeed, I would make the same point to her in respect of the time limit. These are maxima but still, I take the point that she raises.

I thank Senator Burke for his contribution and his reflections on head 4, particularly his concentration on the issue of minors. He raised particular concerns in this regard in the course of these hearings, as did others, and those concerns will be addressed. I agree with Senator Crown's ringing invocation of the Constitution and the importance of the Constitution as the foundation of our laws. I absolutely agree with him in that regard.

I am sorry if the impression was given that the Minister, the chief medical officer or the Secretary General of the Department would be present throughout the course of these hearings. It was never my understanding that it would be so. There was no discourtesy intended to the committee.