Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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356. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Act has not been implemented to date; the number of members of the medical profession that were contacted with a view to participating in the review panel and what the response has been; the measures that have been taken to date to implement the legislation and the difficulties that have been experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54864/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy might be aware there are operational issues which needed to be addressed before the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 could be commenced and my Department has been liasing with the HSE in this regard. These include the establishment of a panel of medical practitioners for the purpose of the formal medical review provisions and administrative facilities to enable the review committee, drawn from the panel, to perform its functions.

I understand that this process is progressing in a satisfactory manner and that the HSE has received considerable support from the relevant professional colleges in this regard. Therefore it is my intention to commence the Act shortly.