Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Mac Lochlainn that the Department of Health has done a significant amount of background work on the wider issues that must be considered. The Deputy will appreciate that this is in effect new work. The Minister has given a commitment to produce heads of a Bill later this year. He intends to have a wide-ranging consultation, which will be welcomed.

11 o’clock

I have already told the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists that there will be a meeting with the stakeholders in this area. The Department of Health has also communicated this to the people involved. There will be a broader meeting involving the stakeholders and others, and all interested people will have an opportunity to make submissions. Following that, there will be drafting of the legislation. Certainly, the Department has given a commitment to progress the legislation, with the heads of a Bill and the consultation this year.

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