Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1048. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the work and composition of the National Advisory Committee on Bioethics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24507/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Advisory Committee on Bioethics was established by the then Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly, in March 2012. The task of this Committee is to advise the Minister for Health on the ethical and social implications of scientific developments in human medicine and healthcare. In particular, this includes:

1) Providing advice in the form of expert reports on priority issues of national significance as requested by the Minister;

2) Providing recommendations and assistance towards the development of healthcare policy and associated legislation;

3) Representing Ireland at international fora on bioethics and collaborating, communicating and exchanging information with other national bioethics committees regarding developments in health policy.

The National Advisory Committee on Bioethics’ membership is multi-disciplinary and consists of members who were invited to join the Committee by virtue of their personal expertise, distinction and authority and not as representatives of particular bodies or professions. The full list of Committee members can be viewed on the Committee’s webpage on the Department of Health’s website here:

The National Advisory Committee on Bioethics has considered a number of complex and sensitive issues that society in general, and the healthcare system, in particular, are currently facing. The most recent work published by the National Advisory Committee on Bioethics was the opinion document on nudging, which is entitled “Nudging in Public Health – An Ethical Framework”. This document was published in April 2016.

The National Advisory Committee on Bioethics has also produced opinion documents in relation to the topics of:

- Specific consent for blood transfusion; and

- The detention of voluntary and involuntary patients in mental health facilities.

Further information about the activities of the National Advisory Committee on Bioethics is available on the Committee's webpage on the Department of Health’s website.

No decision has yet been made regarding the next topic on the work programme for the National Advisory Committee on Bioethics.