Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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93. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the degree to which he has noted the recent report of the Citizens' Assembly; his plans to respond to the recommendations following study by the Oireachtas committee; when he expects that appropriate action will follow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20709/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government established a Citizens’ Assembly, in line with its Programme for Partnership Government commitment, to consider a number of matters including constitutional reform. The establishment and terms of reference of the Assembly were approved by a resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas in July of last year. Judge Mary Laffoy, a Justice of the Supreme Court, chaired the Assembly which is made up of ninety-nine citizens randomly chosen from the population.

The Assembly is required to first consider the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Article 40.3.3), and has held a series of meetings to do so between 15 October 2016 and 23 April 2017. During this time the Assembly gathered facts in relation to the issue, listened to experts in the medical, legal, and ethical field and to advocates’ views on the topic.

The Assembly made their recommendations on the issue through a balloted process at their final weekend meeting on 22 and 23 April. The report of the Citizens’ Assembly setting out its recommendations is now being prepared and is due to be submitted to the Oireachtas by the end of June. The Assembly’s recommendations will be acted upon by a Special Oireachtas Committee, which will be asked to report to the Oireachtas within three months of its first public meeting.

My Department is monitoring developments in the area closely, to assess any necessary policy or legal changes that may arise.