Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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614. To ask the Minister for Health when and the reason that he restricted the terms of reference of the Expert Group on Abortion to advising the Government on how to give effect to existing Constitutional provisions rather than enabling them to make broader recommendations as set out in paragraph 3 of the terms of reference approved by the Government on 29 November 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22331/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the terms of reference of the Expert Group on the ABC v Ireland Judgment, as approved by Government on 29^th November 2011, were as follows:

-To examine the A, B and C v Ireland judgment of the European Court of Human Rights;

-To elucidate its implications for the provision of health care services to pregnant women in Ireland;

-To recommend a series of options on how to implement the judgment taking into account the constitutional, legal, medical, and ethical considerations involved n the formulation of public policy in this area and the over-riding need for speedy action.

Following approval by Government, no changes were made to the terms of reference of the Expert Group.