Ms Siobh?n McArdle:

With regard to the Department of Health, the Senator raised some valid and interesting questions, but they would have to form part of the consideration in terms of the research looking at what is happening in other jurisdictions to ensure that, should it become legal in Ireland, the learning around those safeguards could form part of the model of care. It is clear that once there is legislation, one needs to then consider what the model would look like in Ireland and, within that model, to take learnings from other jurisdictions to support the development of an Irish model, should that be the decision of the Dáil or the Government.