Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I reject Deputy Boyd Barrett's suggestion that the mother's safety is being endangered. This legislation has to address the life of the unborn child and the life of the mother in the context of Article 40.3.3° of the Constitution. A compelling case can be made for including an obstetrician in the assessment provisions in sections 7 and 9. It is likely that a foetal assessment will be required in a particular clinical situation arising under sections 7 or 9. It is entirely proper and prudent to involve an obstetrician in such a setting. That is not to say individual professionals would not draw on their own specialties when making their assessments, but the expert obstetrician or gynaecologist should be involved in making an assessment. We do not propose to change those provisions.

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