Vol. 407 No. 3
2 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the number of submissions received to date by the Commission on the Status of Women; if any timetable has been set for the completion of the work of the commission; if it is planned to produce an interim report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed that the Commission on the Status of Women have received 550 submissions to date and expect the final total of submissions to be in excess of 600. The commission's terms of reference specify a timescale of 18 months from 1 November 1990 for reporting to Government.
The commission will have the opportunity to make a public first statement to Government later this week. In their first statement I understand that the commission are recommending initiatives which they consider could be put into practice immediately and which, they believe, complements the equal opportunity measures in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. In line with our commitment to securing equality for women in Irish society, the Government will carefully consider the commission's recommendations.
Does the Taoiseach intend to publish the initial statement that the commission intend to make to Government and place it in the Library of the House? Is it intended to have a formal interim report provided by the commission as distinct from the initial statement?
I will be receiving the statement from the commission formally on Thursday and I will be responding to it. It will be published fully then. As to an interim report, I am not sure. It is a matter for the commission but they thought these matters were matters they would like to get on deck straight away.
Has the Taoiseach requested the commission to give their submission now on the proposed amendments to family planning legislation?
I do not request the commission to do anything. They have their terms of reference and are getting on with their work.
Would it not be in order that information with regard to family planning legislation should come from the commission as the issue of amendment of the legislation is very much a factor affecting women?
Of course it is, but the first thing is to bring the legislation to this House. It is on its way.
