The Oireachtas Committee examining the proposed abortion laws has been told the measure is wrong and ideologically driven. A number of pro-life psychiatrists are attending the hearing this afternoon while pro-choice experts addressed TDs and Senators earlier today.
The Committee has heard views that psychiatrists cannot be fooled by someone pretending to be suicidal and that abortion is not a treatment for suicide.
Dr. Seán O'Domhnaill has described himself as a consultant psychiatrist employed by the HSE. He is questioning if the government has any intention of taking on board the discussions at these hearings.
Earlier, a pro-choice psychiatrist said the inclusion of a 14-year jail term for those who carry out or have an illegal termination would increase the risk of suicide in women. Dr. Peadar O'Grady is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and has appeared before the Oireachtas Committee examining our abortion laws.
Psychiatrists have been differing on whether the inclusion of the suicide risk in the proposed laws is necessary.
Dr. O'Grady represented 'Doctors for Choice' at the public hearings. He says Irish people do not consider abortion to be a grave crime due to the right to travel and therefore the 14-year jail term proposed for an illegal abortion is too tough.
Psychiatrists have also told the Oireachtas Committee hearing that termination is never a treatment for suicide because there is no treatment for suicide. But they say they can never say that an abortion would not save a woman's life in such circumstances, because no evidence exists on this issue either way.
Psychiatrist role
Under the proposed legislation psychiatrists will play a key role in cases when a pregnant woman is seeking an abortion because she is suicidal.
13 psychiatrists - including 3 perinatal psychiatrists and representatives of the College of Psychiatrists in Ireland - have been addressing the cross-party Health Committee.
One psychiatrist who branded the abortion bill as 'abusive' has appeared before the Oireachtas Health Committee. Dr. Anthony McCarthy, who is one of only three perinatal-psychatrists in the country, claimed on national radio that forcing suicidal women to be assessed by 6 consultants is a 'sick joke'.
Speaking this morning, Dr Anthony Mc Carthy, President of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland says the country's women need better services.
Dr John Sheehan, Consultant Perinatal Psychaitrist says rushing to a termination for a suicidal women would not be the way to go, and that psychiatrists will not become the gatekeepers of abortion:
Later this evening other medical specialists - including representatives of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organistion (INMO) and the Mental Health Commission - will face questions from the TDs and Senators.
The 3rd and final day of the hearings will take place tomorrow - when legal issues will be discussed. The Committee will then begin work on drawing up a report before the end of the month which could recommend changes to the draft legislation.
