I raise the issue of symphysiotomy. I understand the independent report by Dr. Oonagh Walsh may be published soon, perhaps even later today. As the Taoiseach knows, many of the victims of this horrific procedure are very elderly. They have waited a very long time for justice. Approximately 350 of the 1,500 symphysiotomies were carried out in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, in many cases without the consent of the women involved. There are now just over 200 survivors, some of whom are quite frail. They are all very elderly and carry deep emotional and physical scars from their experiences. They have the support of all parties in the Oireachtas and the Government supported the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill 2013 which was introduced by Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. That Bill seeks to accommodate access to the courts for all victims of symphysiotomy who choose that course of action, but the Bill has not even been discussed or scheduled for discussion on Committee Stage. As many of the women concerned come from County Louth, they have been in touch with my office in the past month. There has been no consultation with them by the Government. Has there been consultation between the Government and the groups representing the victims? Will the Taoiseach outline the process that will be put in place to provide justice for the women concerned for what they suffered in this barbaric procedure?

I thank the Deputy for his question. The Department of Health received the independent report produced by Professor Oonagh Walsh on symphysiotomy at the end of May. It was submitted to the Minister for Health on 31 May and both the Minister and departmental officials have been looking at the conclusions reached in it. A great deal of credit is due to Professor Walsh for the manner in which she conducted the report. It is the result of very considerable work by her and includes both academic research and consultation on that research involving patient groups, health professionals and, in particular, the women who underwent symphysiotomy treatment. The Minister for Health is very anxious to ensure appropriate treatment for the women concerned is made available. The finalised report will inform the Government's consideration of how best to deal with this issue and any action the Government may decide to take in response to its recommendations or to any of the legal implications that arises from it. The Minister will brief the Government very shortly on the report in order that it can make a decision on the next steps to be taken.

I know that the Deputy has expressed concern that the Department or the Minister was involved in dealing with one group on this issue. I can confirm that the Minister has made a commitment to meet representatives of the symphysiotomy support groups, once the Government has made its decision on how to proceed.

I am mindful that we are going into recess and that it is important that the issue is dealt with before we break because it is an ongoing tragedy for the women involved. Everyone, including the Taoiseach, has acknowledged the barbaric nature of the butchery inflicted on these women citizens. There is a difference between a Government taking a decision and then meeting people to notify them of that decision and a Government consulting before taking a decision informed by those it has met. I strongly urge the Government to take the second course. Some of the women concerned will accept the redress scheme but others want to go to court. They should be able to make that decision. The Taoiseach met some of these women. They were in the Visitors Gallery on a number of occasions. When Fine Gael and the Labour Party were in opposition, they signed up to getting justice for these victims. I ask him to expedite this matter before the recess, to enter consultation with the women concerned or the groups representing them before the Government makes a decision and to give the women concerned a choice between a redress scheme and seeking justice through the courts.

I seem to have inherited a position of having to deal with a range of difficult issues involving not only financial, political and employment problems but also matters pertaining to the Magdalenes, thalidomide and the Neary cases of symphysiotomy. We want to do something about this issue. I have not yet read Professor Walsh's report, but it has been the Government's practice to engage with the various groups to listen to their stories and then decide what is the best thing to do. We received the report from Professor Walsh. I understand it is a credible report based on academic research and direct consultation with the women involved. We have dealt with a range of challenges in the Presidency for several months. The Minister for Health has not brought his analysis of the report to the Cabinet.

I take Deputy Gerry Adam's point about this being a matter of urgency, but it has moved to the point where we have a clear report and the Minister is committed to meeting the representatives of the groups prior to publication of the report. Given the time constraints on us between now and the summer recess, I will see what can be done. I cannot give a guarantee that it will be addressed, but I assure the Deputy this is one of a number of serious cases that I like to think we can deal with. I am not going to comment on the options he set out. The Government will decide what is the best thing to do arising from the recommendations made in the Walsh report and a consideration of the legal implications. This is a matter the Minister is taking seriously and we will consider his analysis of the Walsh report, meet representatives of the support groups, publish the report and get on with making a decision. It is the Minister's interest to ensure the women concerned are given the best and most appropriate treatment arising from what I described previously as a barbaric process. I have listened to a number of their stories and descriptions of the consequences for their personal well-being after so many years.