Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I had often heard that the Upper House has better debates, but I did not realise that we are also more enlightened and well-read up here as well. Obviously I am learning all the time.

I think Senator Zappone's amendment is very pragmatic and the letter she read out gives me increased comfort. My preference is that we should not be medicalising in any way. I understand the society we live in and the people I talk to, but I do not understand the need to go beyond a GP. If a GP refers me to a consultant or other specialist, I will take that advice very seriously and will follow it. Why therefore can we not trust GPs? That is what Senator Zappone's amendment seeks to do.

I would prefer that we would move on this amendment, or get a commitment that it would be acted upon in the Dáil. It is a pragmatic approach and is about trusting GPs, and not going to psychiatrists or other specialists. A GP can refer a patient to specialist services, if necessary. If I go to a GP, I can be referred if needs be. I have great difficulty with the idea of legislators trying to be medical practitioners. We have a very limited knowledge of medical matters, so I trust our medical practitioners in that regard. We obviously have to scope and ensure that certain principles are maintained, but we are not discussing a medical issue here. I would prefer not to see such a provision in the Bill, but if we are to see it, let us have a pragmatic approach.