Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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My colleague and friend, Senator Ruane, mentioned Ireland's abortion law as an example of where limits or margins are put in place. People have different views on that particular issue. People can comment as they wish but I am not asking them to comment on their attitude to Ireland's abortion law. What I do see is an increase in numbers and a lot of controversy about the position of those who, for medical or professional reasons, believe they should not go this route. I am conscious that whatever about abortion, it would seem to me that there are a lot of hospices in this country and in other countries that would have grave difficulty and would not see it as a professionally good thing to do to be involved in any kind of assisted dying. They would see it as going against the good care of a person. What is the prognosis for such institutions in the event of a change in the law, in the view of Dr. Vanbellingen and the other doctors? Obviously, there is some limited scope for a freedom of conscience opt-out for an individual, but how does it work for institutions? That is something that is on my mind.