Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Good morning. I thank the witnesses for coming before us in our final meeting, or so I read on RTE.ie this morning. I only have a couple of questions, and my first one is a point rather than a question. With respect to the Department - this is not really a criticism; just an expression of disappointment - we have been aware that this committee was to be formed since 2020, and for the Department and the HSE not to have conducted research into what the Oireachtas flagged that it might do is kind of disappointing. A majority of people voted for this committee to be established. A majority of people voted for Second Stage of a Private Members' Bill alongside the Minister for Justice at the time. It is kind of disappointing that the witnesses have not come with research that might have been helpful and informative to the committee's workings. I accept the point that they have made but I do not think there is any bar from them carrying out research, at least on a provisional basis. That said, it is not a criticism. It is just an expression of disappointment.

I would like to pick up on two things. First, I wholeheartedly agree with the statement that the Department and the HSE should be proud of the palliative care system that they provide. I want to put that on record straight away. The only real questions I have regard conscientious objection, and the protection of employees - for example, nurses, doctors, consultants and others - should this be provided for in law. Probably one of the only areas I am aware of where there is a provision for conscientious objection is that with regard to abortion services.

Could the HSE andinter alia, the Department, indicate the numbers, or perhaps percentage might be more appropriate, of healthcare workers on the payroll of the HSE who are objecting to the provision of that service within the framework of those who are qualified to provide either the service itself or counselling services associated with it, if there are those who are conscientiously objecting to that sort of provision?

The second question I have relates to the protection of individual staff members. There have been issues with protests at certain facilities. I know of GP practices that have been targeted by those who do not agree with the provision of abortion services. Might it be assumed, for the purposes of discussion, that if the Oireachtas were to legislate for this particular matter of assisted dying, there might be an impact on service providers, up to and including public service providers, in providing this particular service?

Would the witnesses consider this matter to be the provision of healthcare? That is perhaps the most difficult question, but I will direct it first to Dr. Ní Bhriain and then to Ms. McArdle.