Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Faoi mar is eol don Teachta bhí comhairliúchán poiblí ann. A public consultation was launched in October 2022 and the public consultation aspect of it concluded at the end of January 2023. It is amazing to think that the online questionnaire listed more than 10,000 responses. It was an absolutely phenomenal uptake and show of interest, and I think, solidarity and support for a development of a policy in this area. What has come in through that is being currently analysed. The direct engagement with bilaterals and with stakeholders is ongoing and the consultation with 25 focus groups on the policy has been just recently completed. That is completed. There are three aspects to it, namely, the public consultation, the 25 focus groups, and finally the engagement with the stakeholders. The engagement with the stakeholders is currently ongoing and that is the last piece of the puzzle, as it were. It is our intention to move this as quickly as we possibly can and it is our expectation that the policy will be in place for September 2024.