X case legislation
Patrick Nulty asks when legislation implementing the X case judgment will be published; the Taoiseach says departmental work and preparation of the Bill’s heads are continuing before Government and committee consideration.
The Taoiseach will be aware that on 4 March feminist groups and other organisations will march for action on the X case judgment. Since the Joint Committee on Health and Children has completed its findings, when does the Government expect to publish legislation to give effect to the X case judgment? Can we expect to see the terms of the Bill before the summer recess?
Comment on this
The Government has set out a process by which this matter will be dealt with. This has included the information hearings held by the Joint Committee on Health and Children which is chaired by Deputy Jerry Buttimer.
Work arising from the information hearings and the heads of the Bill is ongoing. The heads are being prepared by the Department of Health and the Minister will bring them to the Government when they are ready. They will then be published and sent to committee for further discussion in accordance with the process we have set out. I do not want this matter to be unduly delayed but I want it to be right.