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

As the Deputy will know, the Taoiseach has outlined the importance of the citizens' assembly as an opportunity to have a broadly based discussion on the eighth amendment. It is intended that it will be put together as quickly as possible and that the first topic for discussion will be the eighth amendment. The composition has been made known, as the Deputy said. It is a citizens' assembly, but it is intended that the findings will be brought back to the Government and the Dáil for detailed discussion. It will be to a committee in the first instance. It provides a unique opportunity to engage in discussion on this very delicate and difficult subject which the previous Government had started to address with the protection of life during pregnancy legislation. At the Cabinet today the necessary Bill was agreed to to enable the selection of members of the assembly to proceed. I have no doubt that there will be a range of contacts with politicians during the period of the assembly. The details are yet to be worked out, but there will be an opportunity in this House to engage in discussion on that contact.

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