Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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113. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the way he will ensure that psychiatrists are screened to work within the new legislation in view of the fact that over 100 psychiatrists have signed an open letter opposing the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act with many stating they would participate in the carrying out of assessments in effect to prevent a woman accessing her legal right to an abortion where her life is in danger from suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36498/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may wish to note that the Guidance Document to assist health professionals in the implementation of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act identifies clear referral pathways for assessment under Section 9 of the Act.

For example, if a GP considers a pregnant woman’s life to be at real and substantial risk from suicide, he/she should refer her urgently to the local consultant psychiatrist, or a consultant obstetrician in an appropriate institution or through the appropriate emergency pathway depending on her condition and how critical her situation is. If a GP experiences difficulty in accessing the local consultant psychiatrist, he/she can refer to the relevant Executive Clinical Director (Mental Health) to organise an appropriate assessment. The Document clarifies that women may also present to a variety of care providers such as crisis pregnancy services, public health nurses, counsellors, social workers or other members of the primary care team. Such services can either refer the woman to her GP or advise the woman to present as an emergency at a hospital where appropriate.

Provision for conscientious objections is made in Section 17 of the Act. Section 17(3) states that a person who has a conscientious objection shall arrange for the transfer of care of the pregnant woman concerned as may be necessary to enable the woman to avail of the medical procedure concerned.