Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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254. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider directing the National Advisory Committee on Bioethics to investigate the ethical implications of assisted suicide, assisted dying and physician-assisted suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27627/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Advisory Committee on Bioethics (NACB) was established by the then Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly, in March 2012 to advise the Minister for Health on the ethical and social implications of scientific developments in human medicine and healthcare.  Its membership is multi-disciplinary and consists of members who were invited to join the Committee by virtue of their personal expertise, distinction and authority.

The NACB has met on a number of occasions since its establishment and considered various complex and sensitive issues that society in general, and the healthcare system in particular, confront.  The most recent work published by the NACB, entitled “Nudging in Public Health – An Ethical Framework”, was published in April 2016.  No decision has been made regarding the next topic on the work programme for the NACB.