Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In political and ideological terms, this issue lies at the core of the legislation we are proposing to pass. We are dealing with the suicide clause and the Minister, his colleagues in the Government and the proponents of the Bill put forth a strong response regarding our obligation to introduce it. The Lower House was informed that if such a clause were not introduced, we would basically be overturning the entire Supreme Court judgment and that we cannot go down that particular route. Obviously, I do not have any of the legal qualifications of which the Minister of State is in possession. However, I am sure that he will acknowledge - as was acknowledged by all of the experts who came before the joint committee and former Supreme Court Justice Catherine McGuinness - that the Oireachtas is under no obligation to legislate as per the X case. The Supreme Court handed down a judgment in respect of that case but we are under no legal obligation to legislate in respect of it.

I am sure the Minister of State will also acknowledge that the Supreme Court judgment on the X case, as it relates to the suicide clause-----