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

On the question of ethical dilemmas, it is not sufficient to state there is an opt-out clause because most staff working in the system will be faced with these dilemmas? Medical practitioners regularly are faced with these dilemmas. They have medical and legal responsibilities.

We are talking about a highly unusual situation. I am not aware, and perhaps the Minister can tell me otherwise, that there is an abortion regime in any other jurisdiction where there is a legal responsibility on the doctors concerned to protect the life of the unborn. Obviously, that arises from the constitutional provision. To say the least, it is an extremely unusual regime to have. As a result, doctors will be faced with very difficult situations which they must address. On the one hand, there is a woman who is saying she is suicidal, while on the other hand, to deal with that issue for the woman who is suicidal by virtue of the fact that she is pregnant, a doctor is required to end the pregnancy but perhaps not deal with the cause of the woman's suicidality while at the same time having an equal responsibility to protect the life of the unborn. How does a doctor make that call or balance those two sets of rights? It is a serious dilemma that arises. It is disingenuous to state they can opt out because this is, as far as I can see, a unique abortion regime that is being legislated for here.