Dr. Anne Doherty:

We are all responsible for our decisions and for any treatment decisions that we make. We are all answerable to the Medical Council for the decisions we make, as are our nursing colleagues, who are potentially also open to this provision of the legislation. They are responsible to their governing body. There are already clear checks and balances. We are concerned about additional rules that are not reviewed by the Oireachtas and which could result in colleagues potentially facing criminal sanctions. I think that will be a real issue.