James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of Deputy Mulherin's concerns in this regard and I understand them. I have been reflecting on this. When we talk about clinical research we talk about a more objective base. That can often be to do with clinical research around medications and how they work. However, clinical research around assessing suicide is subjective. I do not believe that referring to it in the context of this Bill will advance the Bill. I think the Attorney General is of a similar view. Because of its subjectivity this whole area is the reason we have two psychiatrists involved in the certification process and also the reason for a second opinion, as opposed to any idea that a contemporaneous assessment could be done. The Bill explicitly states that a psychiatrist will have to form an opinion and that must be a reasonable opinion following a full assessment. This will take some time as it cannot be done in a morning. A second opinion must then be obtained. The two must jointly certify subsequently. I understand clearly what has been said, but not all clinical research is objective, and certainly not that which deals with assessing suicide risk and ideation, because it is a question of assessing someone with suicidal ideation and determining the risk it presents in terms of the intent to take one's own life. We talk a lot about suicide, which is a subject that causes much pain in Irish life today, and it requires much more research. I and my colleagues - particularly the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch - are determined to address it. I do not wish to give the impression that this Bill is in any way changing our approach to the treatment of the threat of suicide or how it is assessed. Rather, it underpins and underscores the fact that it is a very real problem in Irish society, albeit one that is quite rare in pregnancy, and also one that is extremely difficult to assess. We do not have any biochemical markers and we have very little clinical research that is based on objectivity. There is a lot of research around the subject, but to say that it is absolutely hard evidence is difficult. However, I do not profess to be a psychiatrist, notwithstanding the fact that I spent 20 years visiting St. Ita's hospital as a visiting GP.