Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Fletcher for her presentation, which was very practical and useful in the way it is laid out in possible heads of Bill. It could be very helpful to the Department of Health, which is currently looking at drafting legislation.

The point regarding objective value versus societal value is a very interesting one. Will Dr. Fletcher expand on it? There is a great deal of confusion as to how societal value lines up against the human rights of an actual individual in the world, experiencing life, with family, friends and a job. The societal value placed on foetal life is very different from that and it is a distinction worth examining.

Dr. Fletcher noted that our work presents a good opportunity to learn from the implementation and operation of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. From a medical law perspective, what does she consider the most important lessons to be learned from that legislation?

The witness mentioned that accommodation will have to be made for conscientious objection in abortion services provision. How best can we create a legislative model that includes such accommodation, and is there a country we might look to in so doing?

Dr. Fletcher made an interesting point around abortion access on foetal anomaly grounds and rape grounds and including them under a different category or classification, which would be risk to health. Why does she consider that classification superior to creating one or more specific grounds or categories in themselves?