Seanad debates

Thursday, 13 November 2003

It is wrong to say the matter of stem cell research was not debated in the Oireachtas. I am a member of the Sub-committee on European Scrutiny of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs which looked at this issue and received comprehensive documents on it. This issue was referred by the sub-committee to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment. If I recall correctly, the Tánaiste said this morning that she was prepared to attend the committee to discuss this issue. On several occasions, she emphasised the complexity of the matter. She was reluctant to form any judgments in advance of a national debate and said she was awaiting a report from Professor Dervilla Donnelly's expert committee on it. The matter has been discussed. It is, of course, appropriate for the House to discuss it as well – I would not deny that. I am sure that can be arranged in due course.

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