Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013

Procedures of review committee

14. (1) The pregnant woman shall be entitled to be heard by the review committee and, where the woman or a person acting on her behalf informs the committee that she wishes to be heard, the committee shall make such arrangements as may be necessary in order to hear the woman or a person acting on her behalf.

(2) The review committee may, for the purposes of its review of a relevant decision, by direction in writing require a medical practitioner or former medical practitioner, at such time and place as may be specified in the direction—

(a) to produce to the committee such documents or other records in his or her possession or control as may be so specified, or

(b) to attend before the committee and to give to the committee such assistance and answer such questions as it may require.

(3) The review committee may, subject to the provisions of this Act, determine its own procedures.

(4) The Executive shall provide, or arrange for the provision of, such administrative facilities as may be necessary to enable the review committee to perform its functions.

(5) A member of the review committee shall be paid by the Executive out of funds at its disposal such remuneration and such allowances for expenses as the Minister may, with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determine.

(6) A person who attends the review committee pursuant to a direction under subsection (2) shall be paid by the Executive out of funds at its disposal such remuneration and such allowances for expenses as the Minister may, with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determine.

(7) A person who fails to comply with a direction under subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a class C fine.

(8) Summary proceedings for an offence under subsection (7) may be brought and prosecuted by the Executive.