Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As I want clarification on a matter, the Chair may not withdraw my name. The Minister stated that one could have a situation whereby the procedure and certification are carried out by different doctors. I am trying to think of all eventualities. What happens if a doctor examines a woman and decides that there is a serious risk to her life but the doctor has a conscientious objection to carrying out a procedure? Such a doctor would be very unlikely to certify that there is a serious risk to the life of the woman because the legislation would force him or her to carry out the procedure. When does conscientious objection kick in? A doctor may be afraid to certify that there is a serious risk to the life of the woman when the only way to avert or mitigate that is to carry out an abortion which the doctor would be obliged to perform. However, another section provides that doctors with a conscientious objection are not obliged to perform such procedures.