Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 9

Written Answers. - Access to Information.

Liz McManus

Question:

120 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the statement by a member of the Government on 28 July 1993, that the right to give and receive information is not affected by the Supreme Court decision in the Well Woman case, he will give the steps, if any, that are being taken to ensure that this right is available to all who need it; if, in view of this statement, he will also give the steps, if any, that are being taken in regard to recommendations of the Second Commission on the Status of Women in regard to access to information; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The report of the Second Commission on the Status of Women referred to the commission's earlier recommendation to the Government on the availability of non-directive counselling and stated that, since the constitutional amendment on information had been passed, this recommendation was no longer necessary. The report went on to recommend that, when legislation to implement the amendment is introduced, unreasonable restrictions should not be imposed, and that the aim should be that appropriate information should be available to those who require it.

I have already stated that I will be bringing this legislation to Government in the near future and I will, of course, be mindful of the commission's recommendation in that regard.