75 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Health if he will establish an ethics committee to monitor genetic research in view of recent developments in this area and in particular the potential to extend cloning technology to human beings. [7417/97]

Limerick East): While ethics committees are already in place in acute hospitals and other research institutions, I recognise that the areas of assisted reproduction and related research developments require separate examination. I have recently informed the House that I have been giving careful consideration to how this examination might best be carried out and I will bring proposals to Government arising from this.