James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 69:

In page 14, line 3, to delete “year” and substitute the following:“year, and the Minister shall, as soon as may be after receiving the report, cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas”.

I wish to insert amendments Nos. 69 and 73 as, in the interests of transparency, it is appropriate that reports on the operation of the legislation be viewed and discussed in the Houses of the Oireachtas. In introducing the Bill I have acknowledged the complex issues at stake and in proposing these amendments I hope to reassure my colleagues that the Oireachtas will continue to have an overview once the legislation is passed. Further changes proposed in amendment No. 73 have regard to the need to protect the identities of doctors lawfully complying with the legislation and are similar to the provisions already contained in the legislation for the protection of the women concerned. In view of the approach taken in my proposed amendments Nos. 69 and 73, I suggest there is now no need for amendment No. 74 as proposed by Deputy Denis Naughten.

With regard to amendments Nos. 70 and 71, section 20 of the Bill sets out a detailed notification system which will be put in place under the legislation to monitor its operation and ensure it is not being misused. Notifications will be received on an ongoing basis and an annual report will be prepared and, subject to the acceptance of my proposed amendment No. 73, laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Deputy Billy Kelleher's further requirements are, therefore, disproportionate and I urge the committee not to accept them.

I do not propose to accept amendment No. 72 proposed by Deputy Billy Kelleher. It would not be appropriate for a report of this type to contain the information specified by the Deputy. These are matters to be considered by medical practitioners involved in the formal review process only in the light of their legal and constitutional obligations.