Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The issue of conscientious objection will be dealt with in detail tomorrow. There is an obligation on the doctor to notify the woman of a conscientious objection at the earliest possible opportunity rather than do so at the end of the decision-making process. That is a somewhat technical point. Contrary to the arguments being made by some people, institutions do not have a conscience and, therefore, there is no such thing as institutional conscientious objection. The legislation provides that in a situation such as that referred to by Deputy O'Brien the procedure should be carried out by an obstetrician and in the case of a conscientious objection care would be transferred to another obstetrician. Those who run our large maternity hospitals and tertiary centres will be able to provide for such circumstances. Members should bear in mind that approximately 20 terminations a year are carried out in Irish hospitals on the grounds of a danger to the life of the mother. Those charged with running our hospitals must ensure that they can comply with the law of the land. I am confident they can do so.