Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Let me preface my two short questions with a comment, which I hope the Chairman will allow as I have not taken up too much time to date.

I have the utmost confidence in Senator Catherine Noone as Chairman, and I believe any reasonable person who has been watching these proceedings since their commencement will share that view.

On a personal level, I object most strongly to the suggestion that this committee is some type of a rubber stamp exercise. I cannot speak for anybody else but I never rubber stamped anything and I never will. I would not give this committee the credence of my continued presence if I thought that is what it was. I came onto the committee with an open mind, not an empty mind, but I want to learn. I am disturbed that some of the agencies that have been invited to come before us have chosen not to come to the committee. I am open to information. I have drilled down into the report of the Citizens' Assembly and I have studied every aspect of this committee. I want to put a stop to the legend that people have their minds made up. I am not quite sure exactly where I am on the spectrum yet.

I welcome the witnesses and I thank them for their presentation and the documents they provided, which I find useful. When a woman presents to Dr. Henchion with the intention of having an abortion, is that a matter between the Irish Family Planning Association, IFPA, and the woman in question or does she encourage or seek the engagement and-or involvement of the father of the unborn child in the first instance? Does she seek his counsel or advice? Does he have a role in this decision or is he out of the equation? If the woman in question is exceptionally young, would Dr. Henchion welcome engagement and seek involvement from her parents?

I am somewhat concerned about Dr. Henchion's statement that she has seen many women who have had illegal abortions performed. I am not quite sure what her position is on that. When a woman comes to Dr. Henchion and says she has had an illegal abortion - I would have the utmost sympathy for the woman - is it not illegal? If something is illegal, it is illegal. Does Dr. Henchion think it is incumbent on the Irish Family Planning Association, IFPA, to share that information or in any way refer it to a statutory body or State agency such as the HSE?