Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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666. To ask the Minister for Health if he will list the terms of reference and the membership of the oversight committee which he set up regarding the Protection of Maternal Life Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19113/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Given the sensitivity of the topic, the complex constitutional and legal issues involved, and the political interest in this area, as the Deputy is aware, I have established a dedicated Oversight Committee to supervise the development of the legislation. The purpose of this Committee is to establish and maintain a clear mechanism for internal communications between the Social Inclusion Unit, senior management in the Department and the Ministers in the Department of Health and to ensure that the Ministers in the Department of Health are regularly updated on the progress achieved in the drafting of the legislation. The membership of the Committee is outlined below.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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667. To ask the Minister for Health if the proposed heads of the Protection of Maternal Life Bill will be debated by the appropriate Oireachtas committees, Health and Justice, in advance of any decision to publish legislation; if expert witnesses will be called before both Oireachtas committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19114/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children held three days of oral hearings on the implementation of the Government decision following the publication of the Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in A, B & C v Ireland, from 8th to 10th of January this year. On the 31st of January, the Committee furnished a report to the Government summarising the contributions received during the consultative process. The Government has committed to engage further with the Oireachtas Committee when Heads of a Bill have been developed. How the Committee decides to progress the debate is a matter for the Committee itself, upon which it would be inappropriate for me to comment.