Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 78:

In page 10, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following:“(5) (a) Prior to making their decision as to whether or not to make a section 9 certification, the three medical practitioners referred to in subsection (1)(a) shall jointly meet with the woman, a person acting on her behalf and an advocate for the preservation of the life of the unborn nominated by the Attorney General. The purpose of the meeting shall be to assist the medical practitioners in considering whether or not to make a section 9 certification by reference to the provisions of this Act.

(b) The three medical practitioners referred to in subsection (1)(a) shall make an application in the prescribed form and manner to the Attorney General requesting the Attorney General to nominate an advocate for the preservation of the life of the unborn.

(c) Where the pregnant woman has not nominated a person to act on her behalf, the three medical practitioners referred to in subsection (1)(a) shall make an application in the prescribed form and manner to the Attorney General requesting the Attorney General to nominate a person to act on behalf of the woman.

(d) The Attorney General shall nominate an advocate for the preservation of the life of the unborn and, if requested to do so under paragraph (c), a person to act on behalf of the woman without delay and no later than 48 hours from the receipt of a request under paragraph (b) and/or paragraph (c) as the case may be.

(e) The woman, the representative of the woman and the advocate for the preservation of the life of the unborn shall be entitled to review all documents and information being considered by the three medical practitioners referred to in subsection (1)(a) and to participate fully in, and be heard at, the meeting held pursuant to paragraph (a) but subject to the restriction that the advocate for the preservation of the life of the unborn shall not be entitled to cross-examine the pregnant woman.”.

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