X case legislation
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asks whether legislation on the X case will be published next month and enacted by July; the Taoiseach says the health department is still preparing the legislation and will allow committee scrutiny.
The Government has confirmed to the Council of Europe that it intends to legislate for the X case, that the legislation will be published next month and passed by July. Can the Taoiseach confirm that to the House?
Comment on this
Work is proceeding in the Department of Health following the information meetings and as part of the process we outlined before. The Minister for Health has not brought the heads referring to the regulations to Government yet. Clearly, we want to deal with this in a proper, comprehensive fashion given the sensitivities involved. We do not want it unduly delayed. When the heads of the Bill come to Government, the Oireachtas committee will have the opportunity to debate them. Everybody will get an opportunity to contribute.