Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am speaking to amendments Nos. 12 and 21. My colleagues and I tabled this amendment after consulting many senior clinicians. Senator Ruane noted the practicalities of carrying out abortions in hospitals. The legislation encroaches in the areas of rostering and scheduling in hospitals. Many doctors and clinicians do not work in only one location. Many work in a maternity hospital and a general hospital and may not work in the same place continuously for a three-day period. The current provision is not practical. I ask the Minister to clarify the words "carried out" in this context and explain how broad or narrow their meaning is.