Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am of the view that the bar should be set higher in this case. It is close to impossible to clinically diagnose suicidal intent. What comes into play, therefore, is the opinion of the medical professionals involved. Let us consider the case of a woman who is suicidal as a result of her pregnancy rather than an underlying psychiatric illness. It must be remembered an individual with such underlying conditions would be dealt with differently and offered other treatments. Does the Minister accept that a request for a termination of pregnancy in the circumstances to which I refer would give rise to significant ethical and legal dilemmas for the medical practitioners involved? On one hand, many practitioners and the medical profession in general believe that there is no evidence base regarding the provision of a termination as a treatment for suicidal ideation. On the other hand, they know that if, in some cases, they terminate a pregnancy at a particular stage, they will jeopardise either the life or the health of the unborn. I do not believe there is sufficient advice for or protection available to medical practitioners in those circumstances. On what basis will they balance those two rights, as the are required to do under the Constitution? This issue was discussed at some length at the hearings of the joint committee but it was not actually addressed. I take the point that the joint committee was not in a position to make findings but does the Minister accept that there is a real dilemma for medical practitioners in respect of this matter? How will they achieve the balance required of them under the Constitution?