Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to note that the purpose of the committee is not alone to inform ourselves but also to inform the wider public on the issue. There is a broad view among the public that the expert group report was dealing with the issue in its broad concept in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. However, this was not the case because the interpretation of the terms of reference were limited to advising the Government on how to give effect to the existing constitutional provisions. Thus, when the Government drew up the terms of reference in November 2011, whether unwittingly or otherwise, the decision was made to legislate for the X case at that time. I would like to have got clarification on that from the Department of Health and I would also like to have got clarification on the position of the report into the sad and tragic death of Savita Halappanavar.