Vol. 488 No. 2
98 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects to publish the results of the research on crisis pregnancies commissioned from the Department of Sociology, Trinity College; if it is intended to publish the recommendations made in the report; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5698/98]
The study to which the Deputy refers will be published shortly. It is at present with the printers and I expect that the first copies will be available during next week.
The Deputy will be aware that on 2 December 1997 the Government decided to establish a Cabinet committee to oversee the work of an interdepartmental working group whose task it will be to prepare a Green Paper on abortion. This work is under way at present. Submissions from interested parties and from the public generally have been invited and it will be the objective to have the Green Paper completed in the summer.
The draft report submitted to my Department by the Trinity research team in December 1997 contained a number of policy recommendations made in the light of their findings. I am of the view that it would not be appropriate to publish an important report containing recommendations, while a consultation process leading to the preparation of the Green Paper is under way. To do so could lead to the Government being accused of attempting to influence the debate or of endorsing certain positions on the abortion issue in advance of the preparation of the Green Paper.
The Trinity College research team, with whom the Department has discussed the matter is of the view that the publication of recommendations could deflect the debate away from the research findings, which are of themselves of paramount importance. My Department has suggested to the team that they consider making a submission to the working group which is preparing the Green Paper on abortion. The final version of the study contains detailed findings and conclusions based on the team's research. Arrangements for its printing and publication are, as I have indicated, in-train at present and the study will be placed on public sale as soon as it is available.
