Closing Statement of Jerry Buttimer TD Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

But what exactly is the document that we been discussing?  The Heads of Bill is a draft document which sets out the objectives and main provisions of a proposed Bill, it provides a framework but not the detail.  It is not the final Bill, it is not the new law, it is a preliminary document which is to be used to facilitate discussion and consideration before producing the Bill, and it is part of a pre-legislative consultative process.

To reform the legislative process and make it more inclusive, this government has regularly referred Heads of Bills to Committees for open and public consultation.  This can be seen as a democratisation of the legislative process, allowing stakeholders to have a real input into the preparation of proposed legislation.  The entire purpose of this pre-legislative consultative process is to facilitate further consideration when drafting the Bill which will be ultimately presented to the Oireachtas.

At the request of Government, this Committee agreed to hold a series of hearings to examine the Heads of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013.  In carrying out this task the Committee decided to concentrate on the legal and medical issues which arise from the outline document.  In doing this we have been greatly assisted by many experts who have voluntarily given of their time so that they could share their knowledge, experience and views.

Our expert witnesses have highlighted many issues, some which need further consideration, others which require clarification and more that are viewed as positive contributions to the law in this difficult and sensitive area.  I know that all of the contributions made at our hearings and the detail obtained during questioning will be of valuable assistance when the Committee is preparing its report for Government. 

Our three days of hearings have been another example of how our parliament can function.  Members of the Oireachtas are capable of holding detailed hearings on sensitive and political matters; Members are capable of doing so in a way that is respectful and tolerant.  In particular I hope that this has helped to portray the constructive way Oireachtas Eireann operates, particularly when working in Committee.

I want to pay tribute to all Members and expert witnesses who have contributed over the last three days.  It is because of the way they have conducted themselves, being considerate and respectful, that has allowed the Committee to do its work.  This approach has enabled Members to gather information, to ask questions, to probe on particular issues in the absence of tension or unnecessary and unhelpful rancour.

I would like to thank all those who appeared before the Committee for their time and very helpful contributions.  It really is appreciated by all Members and we are grateful for your assistance.

To my colleagues in the Oireachtas who are not Members of the Committee on Health and Children, I want to thank you for the way you have all discussed the issues and raised your own concerns.  I know that your contributions have been appreciated by your colleagues who are members of the Committee.  In particular I would like to thank Senators Ronan Mullen and Jim Walsh for their assistance in the lead up to and in organising our hearings.

To my colleagues on the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, I would like to thank you for your dedication and commitment over the last three days.  Also, I appreciate the role you played in the lead up to these hearings.  The way these hearings have been conducted reflect the professional approach which is consistently demonstrated at all of our Committee meetings.

I hope that we have also shown that different political parties and groups can constructively work together. Deputies Kelleher, O Caolain and Conway, vice chair of the Committee, as representatives of your respective political parties, and to Deputy Healy and Senator Van Turnhout, for the technical group and independent members, I very much appreciate your contributions to this process, in the last three days and in the lead up to our hearings.

Helping the Oireachtas Members in preparing these hearing has been a team of dedicated support staff in the Committee Secretariat.  To our Clerk, Paul Kelly, and his team, Paula Cowan, Mary Lindsay and Colm Duffy, thank you for your efforts and work in the last few weeks and the long days you have put in during the hearings.

I would also like to thank:
• the Seanad CPP, Seanad staff, Cathaoirleach and Leader of the House for use of the Seanad Chamber
• the staff from the Committee Secretariat, who are not assigned directly to our Committee yet gave immense support to the Clerk and his team during and in advance of these hearings;
• the Superintendent, Captain of the Guard and their team of ushers who have been very helpful to us throughout;
• the staff in the editor of debates office, broadcasting and communications units, our sound engineers; and
• finally the staff of the Library & Research Service and Parliamentary legal service who will continue to be of assistance to the Committee as we prepare our report.
• Michael O’Sullivan, consultant
• Media

Finally I would like to thank all of our witnesses and members of both Houses for conducting themselves in a thoughtful and respectful manner.

The Committee will now proceed to compile a report on our hearings and the many written submissions we have received.  When this report is completed it will then be presented to Government for its consideration.  I hope and I trust that these hearings will provide much assistance in the final drafting the Bill which will be presented to the Oireachtas.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has participated in these hearings and for contributing to the work of our Committee.

The Committee stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, May 23.

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

ENDS

Committee Membership:

Deputies

Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Sandra McLellan, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Independent
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil

Senators

Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fianna Fáil
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent