asked the Minister for Health if he will name the organisations with whom he has conferred prior to the preparation of a Bill governing the availability of contraceptives; and the further consultation, if any, planned prior to the circulation of the Bill.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Availability of Contraceptives.
25.
Meetings were held with
The Medico Social Research Board
The Irish Medical Association
The National Health Council
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
The Irish Pharmaceutical Union
The Catholic Hierarchy
The Church of Ireland
The Presbyterian Church
The Methodist Church
The Jewish Representative Body
The Health Boards
The Irish Nurses Organisation
The Association of Social Workers
The Irish Family Planning Association
The Irish Family League
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Representatives of organisations promoting the Billings method of family planning.
No further consultations are planned.
Could we have any indication from that litany type of answer the sort of Bill we are going to get?
Is the Minister yet in a position to state if a Bill will be introduced this term?
I hope so.
Before Christmas?
That is my intention. Whatever Bill it is I am sure the Taoiseach will vote for it too.
Is that an undertaking?
I do not think the Minister can speak for the Taoiseach.
In other words, the Fianna Fáil Party are not being allowed a free vote.
No. In other words, we know our own minds.