Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will speak on amendments Nos. 27, 31 and 45. The latter includes "Notwithstanding anything in this section every attempt shall be made to explore with the woman, by means of counselling and support, alternatives to carrying out the medical procedure referred to in subsection (1).”." I raised this issue at the Oireachtas hearings. A woman may be vulnerable and in a crisis pregnancy situation. She is being assessed because of suicidal ideation and the threat of self-destruction.

I am just wondering, in the context of being assessed by a panel of two psychiatrists and an obstetrician and Article 40.3.30 referring explicitly to the obligation to vindicate the life of the unborn, whether a patient-clinician type arrangement could be put in place, whereby a suite of treatments that may be beneficial to the woman, as opposed to the ultimate step of termination, could be provided. Is there a mechanism by which to explore the treatments, counselling, therapy and supports that could be provided and all that flows from this prior to making the final step towards a termination to save and vindicate the right to life of the woman? The concern is that the panel will engage in a box ticking exercise, but there should be an obligation on its members that they would more than just adjudicate and behave like clinicians by giving support and advice to and provide therapy for the woman who may be suicidal because she is pregnant. Other treatments could assist her to deal with her suicidal threat.

With regard to the other issues raised, Article 40.3.30 will probably mean that amendments Nos. 27 and 31 do not need to stand, but if the article is explicit, there is no difficulty in inserting my amendments because they would give a belt and braces effect to the legislation. The medical professionals are obligated to do this and my amendments would give greater clarity to the legislation. Where the unborn may be potentially viable outside the womb, every effort must be made to sustain its life after delivery. Will they be accepted?

I am particularly interested in the Minister's response to amendment No. 45, under which there is potential for an assessment to be made in a cold, clinical way without providing a suite of supports, services, therapies and counselling for suicidal women deemed to be threatening self-destruction. At the same time, therapy and counselling could avert that threat, as much as a termination.