Before Christmas, I raised with the Tánaiste and the Government the issue of establishing a special committee on assisted dying. That was three months ago. The Government stated the committee would be established either before or after Christmas. Three months later the Government has not nominated any of its five members. There is a ridiculous situation where the chairperson of the committee, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, and I mean no disrespect to him, has emailed all the Whips asking when the committee will be established. He wants to get the committee established as soon as possible. This is such a serious issue. Is the Tánaiste taking it seriously or not? I want to find out today when that committee will be established to examine this very serious issue. There needs to be a national discussion on it.

It is my understanding that the Government appointees will be announced imminently or in the next while. It will be within the week.

I call Deputy Verona Murphy.

That is a terrible answer.

Please, Deputy.

It shows complete disrespect for the idea. The Tánaiste did not even stand up.

Will Deputy Kenny please resume his seat?

I did stand up.

The Tánaiste did not stand up.

Can I just clarify? I do not want the charge that it was disrespectful to stay on the record.

It is important-----

Will the Deputy let the Tánaiste answer?

-----to have a better reply than that. It is important to-----

Please let him answer without interruption.

The Deputy asked me about the Government nominees and I said they would be made imminently, which means the committee will be able to meet. That is the point the Deputy was raising with me.