Abortion/mental health conference claims ‘balance’

A Dublin conference aimed towards doctors and lawyers is to explore the issues of abortion and mental health in a balanced way, organisers say, despite promotional material suggesting that a prominent pro-choice advocate will be the conference’s sole speaker.

The November 17 Abortion & Mental Health Conference “will deliver a balanced discussion covering the various and complex issues faced by all stakeholders” and will conclude with a final panel made of expert speakers with “competing and opposing views”, according to advertisements.

Protection

The conference on the mental health implications of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 and Ireland’s constitutional protections for the unborn, has been advertised with Orla O’Connor, the head of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, identified as “our speaker”. Current advertisements also include child psychiatrist Peadar O’Grady, founder of Doctors for Choice Ireland, as a speaker and say further speakers will be announced.

The event is worth four continuing professional development (CPD) points, according to Chris Lavery of Irish Conferences, a division of the Ashville Media Group, who told The Irish Catholic that while the conference was not accredited in advance, participants could claim their points from their professional bodies afterwards.

PLC spokesperson Cora Sherlock told The Irish Catholic it was “concerning” that the conference looks like a “one-sided partisan discussion” with the only speakers so far announced coming from one side of the debate, while Irish Medical Council member Dr Ruairi Hanley said “It’s important there be a balanced discussion on any topic”.