14 May 2013, 18:17
The Committee on Health and Children will hold three days of public hearings on the 17th, 20th and 21st May 2013 on the Heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013.
At its meeting today, the Committee agreed the outline for the hearings:
Friday 17th May – Seanad Eireann (Policy, Medical & Obstetrics)
Session 1: 9:30 - 11:00 Policy - Overview of Heads of Bill
Session 2: 11:15 - 1:45 Regulatory & Representative Bodies
Session 3: 2:30 - 5:00 Obstetric Care Facilities – Larger Hospitals
Session 4: 5:15 – 7:45 Obstetric Care Facilities – Other Hospitals
Monday 20th May – Seanad Eireann (Psychiatry & Other medical Groups)
Session 1: 9:30 - 12:00 Psychiatry & Perinatal Psychiatrists
Session 2: 12:15 – 2:45 Psychiatry
Session 3: 3:30 – 6:00 Psychiatry
Session 4: 6:15 – 8:45 Other Medical Specialties
Tuesday 21st May – Seanad Eireann (Legal Hearings)
Session 1: 9:30 - 12:00 Medical Law
Session 2: 12:15 – 2:45 Constitutional Law
Session 3: 3:30 – 6:00 Medical Ethics
Session 4: 6:15 – 8:45 Members Time / Closing Statements
Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “This is pre-legislative scrutiny at Heads of Bill stage which is a consultative process involving the Committee examining written submissions along with hearing from invited expert witnesses from the medical, psychiatry and legal fields.
It is important that the language we use is temperate and moderate and that we are respectful of different viewpoints.
We are thankful to the many people who offered to come before the Committee. Regrettably we cannot accommodate every request but we are grateful to those who made written statements.
These Committee hearings are very important and I welcome the fact that they will be broadcast live on Oireachtas Channel UPC 207 and also on the Oireachtas website. I hope that people will take the opportunity to tune into the hearings.”
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
ENDS
Committee Membership:
Deputies
Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Sandra McLellan, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Independent
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil
Senators
Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fianna Fáil
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent