Professor William Binchy:

The Deputy is perfectly entitled to her view but I think there was legal analysis in my presentation. This session is on human rights. From a human rights point of view - if I summarise without imposing all that material on the committee again - the point I am making is there is a stark choice for the committee, because in practice when the proposed shopping list of grounds are analysed, they amount in intent and effect to wide-ranging abortion. That is a legal point, not an opinion. It may be right or wrong but it is a legal point. The point that monitoring committees have a certain function but that the treaty obligations of the State are somewhat distinct is also legal point which may be right or wrong. There was legal analysis buried in the presentation.