Jim O'Keeffe
Question:42 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice whether this Government intends to propose a Constitutional amendment on abortion.
Written Answers. - Constitutional Amendment on Abortion.
Noel Ahern
Question:77 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice if she will give her views on the substantive issue of abortion; the proposals, if any, she has on the matter; and if, in view of the 1992 referendum results which showed a rejection of the limited abortion solution, she will propose another referendum so that people can democratically be given a choice between for and against abortion.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 77 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997 states that, following the decision of the people in the Constitutional Referenda last November, it will be necessary to introduce legislation to regulate the position. The preparation of such legislation is a matter for the Minister for Health. As to the question of holding a further referendum, the position remains as outlined in my reply to Question No. 147 of 29 June 1993.