Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 April 2023
132. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will implement the Safe Access Zone legislation with extreme urgency; if he will outline what has caused a delay in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18381/23]
View answerSafe access legislation has been prioritised in the Department's legislative programme, and Department officials continue to work with the office of the Attorney General and other relevant stakeholders to progress this bill as expeditiously as possible.
Legal advice was awaited to enable the Department to respond to a number of issues raised by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health during a Pre-Legislative Scrutiny, (PLS) hearing on January 18th 2023. That advice has now been received and a response issued to the Health Committee on 30th March 2023. It is hoped the legislation can be finalised following receipt of the PLS Report.
