Vol. 486 No. 2
12 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the current status of the study, commissioned by his predecessor, on the underlying causes for Ireland's high rate of abortion; when this study is likely to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2217/98]
52 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has, to date, received the results of the research commissioned by the former Government from the Department of Sociology in Trinity College on crisis pregnancies; the main findings of the research; if he will publish the research; if the Government has decided not to proceed with the idea of using Article 27 of the Constitution as a mechanism for dealing with the abortion issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2131/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 52 together.
My Department has received a draft report on the research undertaken by the Department of Sociology, Trinity College Dublin. The report is a complex one and addresses the factors which contribute to unwanted pregnancy, the factors which lead some women to choose the option of abortion and those which lead other women to continue with their pregnancy. Some final editing work is currently being undertaken by the Trinity College research team and it is my intention to have the study published as soon as possible after this work has been completed. The Government decided on 2 December 1997 to establish a Cabinet Committee which will oversee the work of an interdepartmental working group whose task it will be to prepare a Green Paper on the issue of abortion. This process will involve consideration of the constitutional, legal, medical, moral, social and ethical issues which arise regarding abortion. It would not therefore be appropriate at this stage to exclude any option from consideration.
