Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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369. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for recent comments on the forthcoming referendum on the eighth amendment being held in June 2018. [39100/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, 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 Assembly first considered the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Article 40.3.3), and submitted its final report, setting out its recommendations, to the Oireachtas on 29 June 2017.

The Special Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution is now considering the report of the Citizens’ Assembly in order to recommend to the Oireachtas the policy direction it should consider on the issue.

Both the Taoiseach and I have previously stated that we envisage a referendum on this issue in 2018.