It has been a full week since the Minister for Health received the report from the expert group on the X case situation and the Taoiseach promised a debate in this Chamber. Why has the report not been published thus far? Given there will be a three-hour debate in the Dáil this week on this issue and the related issue of the sad implications of the Savita Halappanavar tragedy-----

Thank you, Deputy.

----- will the Government publish that report forthwith to help to inform the debate, rather than debating in a vacuum? The Government is treating this expert report like the third secret of Fatima.

Thank you, Deputy. We cannot have a debate as you suggest.

What is the problem? When will the Government publish-----

We have dealt with this matter on Leaders' Questions.

No, we have not, a Cheann Comhairle.

Can the Taoiseach clarify the position in this regard?

Deputy Higgins is not a leader.

The Sinn Féin Party has decided to use its Private Members' time to table a motion on this subject, as is its prerogative. I might say to Deputy Higgins that we waited for 20 years to deal with the business of protecting children and their rights and this now has been dealt with and decided on by the people within 18 months. The Administration, as part of the programme for Government, undertook to commission an expert group report to present the options that are available to the Government to deal with the question of the A, B and C case decided by the European Court of Human Rights, with particular regard to the C case, in which the inadequacy concerned the lack of clarity and definition of the circumstances under which a termination medically would be available in a hospital to a woman in that situation. The Minister only received the report last week and it is a report that requires some consideration. The Minister will bring the report to the Government next Tuesday and on his recommendation, the Government will decide to publish the report. That is only right and proper.

However, Deputy Higgins should note this is an issue with which the Government will deal with sensitivity, pragmatism and realism. There is a clear need to provide clarity and confidence in the medical circumstances and the legality of what happens in hospitals where such situations arise. Moreover, people who go through college and become doctors and consultants and who then are faced with a situation in which they must make a decision require certainty about what they are doing. In that sense, the report will come before the Government next Tuesday.

Why not this Tuesday?

It will make its decision to publish it on the Minister's recommendation.

When?

I make the point to Deputy Higgins that we are dealing with a different generation of politicians and a different generation in the country generally. Therefore, on the report's publication, I wish to ensure that each Member of the Oireachtas has the right and the opportunity to have his or her say about the report and his or her views on the options. Moreover, it will not be a ten-minute debate for everyone. I want to hear the views of all Members of all parties and none in order that this debate can, in its own way, inform the Government about the process leading to a decision that is to be taken in this regard. Consequently, Deputy Higgins will have ample time to make known his views on this subject, which is sensitive and which has divided our society for a very long time but is one with which the present Government will deal.

Starting when?

I can confirm to the Ceann Comhairle that the Whips will be authorised, on the decision of the Government, to commence the process regarding the discussions that can take place here in the Dáil with regard to the A, B and C report. As I indicated to Deputy Higgins, it will not be a discussion that will be concluded in two or three days but will be one in which everyone will have a full opportunity to have his or her full say on this issue.