It is reported that the Government is considering an alternative to the repeal simpliciter recommendation of the all-party committee on the eighth amendment. This was reported to be on foot of legal advice advanced by the Attorney General. The committee considered this matter very carefully, as it did the separation of powers, in making a determination on this matter. Does the Minister for Health agree that we must settle this matter, without further delay, in a very open manner? To achieve that will the Government provide the legal advice, in whatever condensed form, to the Members of this House so that we can understand why an alternative to the committee's recommendation that the article should simply be repealed is being considered?

The Citizens' Assembly and the Oireachtas committee each got legal advice and came forward with recommendations on how best to repeal the eighth amendment. As the Government now navigates this important sensitive issue towards holding a referendum this summer we need to get our legal advice. We are still in the process of doing that. I expect to advise Government on this matter by the end of this month or the start of next month. I would be very happy at that stage to brief Members of this House and all parties and groupings once the Government has made a decision on that.