Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have forgotten the point I was going to make in response to Deputy Mulherin, but I think this serves as an answer. We have to make a presumption - in good faith, if I can use that term - of best medical practice on the part of doctors. I remember now that I intended to reply to Deputy Mulherin's rhetorical question about whether the decisions of psychiatrists will be governed by their personal beliefs. The decisions of psychiatrists or any other professionals under this legislation will be governed by their professional judgment. I am not prepared to accept for one minute that anything else will govern it. There has been a great deal of debate, on both sides of the so-called divide, about how psychiatrists will act. I am not prepared to accept, and would never accept, that a doctor would act other than in accordance with his or her best professional practice and standards. That is the default position as I recognise it.