Dr. Tom Hickey:

At the risk of repeating myself, lawyers disagree and we know that. However, here we had seven judges who were unanimous, including, in my view, the most eminent judges in the history of the State – Susan Denham, Donal O’Donnell, Frank Clarke and others. This is speculation, admittedly, but I would be shocked if any of the judges on our current Supreme Court took a different view from me on this. I am sure they have different views; we all do. The only thing we all agree on is that life is important. These are morally contested questions. These are difficult moral, political questions. That is one thing.

The other thing is the Constitution. We are lucky in this country that we have a Judiciary – I will not say they leave their politics at the door because one cannot ever entirely do so – who are, as is Dr. Casey, who I know personally, seriously conscientious people who are aware of their role and function. In that context, it would surprise me greatly if any of the judges on the current Supreme Court took a different view from mine on this matter.

The Deputy said he came in feeling very confident in a view. I would say he should leave feeling just as confident in that view.