Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My first difficulty concerns who it is who defines what good counselling practice is. Second, the term "non-directive" is not defined in legislation and yet it seems to be thoroughly relied upon. Third, from what Ms Donlon has said, she does not seem to have regard to the particular constitutional context, which is that there are two lives to be protected. I am not promoting coercive counselling now but I find it very difficult to understand the role of non-directive counselling. I find it strange, especially given that the non-directive approach is not the approach that one would adopt with someone who was suicidal. This would clearly not be a matter on which one would be neutral; it would not just a be a case of the good choice being whatever choice the person is fully informed about. That is clearly not the answer when counselling someone who is suicidal. I am not expert in this area and I am open to correction.