Yesterday was a seismic day in more ways than one in Leinster House. The Joint Committee on Assisted Dying made 38 recommendations in its report, which was published yesterday. One of the main recommendations from the report was to legislate for assisted dying. I believe that this issue transcends politics and ideas and that now is the time to give a commitment and make preparations in the lifetime of this Government to legislate for this issue. Can the Tánaiste give a commitment in the lifetime of this Government that he will make preparations and legislate for this report and its recommendations?

I cannot give that commitment today to the Deputy. I do not know how long the committee sat for. It was probably nearly a year where it deliberated upon a very complex issue. Deputies in my own party participated in that and commented on the report with regard to the comprehensive work that went on, the consultations that took place and the hearings that happened.

The Government should be allowed some time also to examine and read the report as to any proposals that it might consider bringing to the Oireachtas. People will have views on this issue. In our party, this will be an issue of conscience in respect of any prospective legislation. In the first instance, we need to examine the report comprehensively.