The protection of conscience provision in a preliminary draft Irish abortion law has been criticized by Dr. Donal O’Mathuna, a lecturer in ethics at Dublin City University. Dr. O’Mathuna objected to the claim that freedom of conscience is enjoyed by individuals, but not by institutions, and to the provision demanding mandatory referral by objecting physicians. Dr. John Murray, a lecturer in moral theology at Mater Dei Institute and chairman of the board of The Iona Institute, insisted that Irish politicians must vote according to their conscientious convictions, even if that means defying the party whips. [Iona Institute]