Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. As regards the e-tender criteria, I will ask the Department to circulate those criteria. I fully share the frustration in this regard. There is nothing I would like more than to be able to just appoint the chairperson and get on with the work, so I share the frustration. However, I am advised that it is a legal requirement for public procurement and, as such, all our hands are tied, unfortunately.

The Deputy can correct me if I am wrong but, from memory, three policy areas were discussed that were due to happen as part of the Act. She mentioned safe zones, free contraception and sex education. Two of them fall within my remit and one falls within the remit of the Minister for Education. I can assure the Deputy that the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, is considering that issue and taking it very seriously. The Deputy will be aware that I am acting on both the issues that fall within my remit. Legislation in respect of safe access zones has been tabled for priority drafting. That is happening at the moment. The heads of Bill are being drafted by the Department. There is an ongoing conversation with the Office of the Attorney General. It is my intention to produce the heads of Bill as early as possible, get Government agreement on that, engage with the Committee on Health and legislate to that effect. I will revert later to the committee with timelines in that regard. It is a priority.

Free contraception has been spoken about for some time. As the Deputy will be aware, I have allocated a significant sum to next year's budget to bring this in. It is historic; this has not happened before. We are starting with certain age groups. The advice we have received, and it is what we have seen other countries do, is to start with particular age groups. It is my intention to phase it for universal access in the coming years, as we increase the budget for it.