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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Availability of Condoms.

Patrick McCartan

Ceist:

18 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce any amendments to the Health (Family Planning) (Amendment) Act, 1985, to make condoms more readily available in view of the role they can play in preventing the spread of AIDS, especially in the light of the recent decision of the Circuit Court to uphold a district court conviction of the Irish Family Planning Association for the sale of a condom through the Virgin Megastore in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Government have decided to amend the law to make non-medical contraceptives more readily available and a Bill to provide for such amendments will be printed and circulated in due course.

Will the Minister for Health ensure that whatever provisions are contained in the legislation, health considerations will be paramount and that no belt of a crozier from whatever quarter will dictate to the Government or to this House as to the content of any legislation dealing with this urgent health matter?

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that it was stated in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress that we would be reviewing family planning legislation. I assure the Deputy that the health concern is a primary issue and will be taken fully into account when the legislation is being prepared.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the Bill will deal with the wider issues of family planning and will not be confined solely to the question of the availability of condoms, important as that is? A whole range of other provisions in current family planning legislation make the availability of family planning extremely restrictive, particularly for those on low incomes.

The Government discussed the matter at length this morning and I was instructed to bring forward a Bill, which I hope to have here for debate after the Easter recess.

Will this be a Government Bill or a Fianna Fáil Bill?

That question is superflous.

Have not one party in the Government indicated that they are operating a free vote on this issue? Could the Minister clarify the matter?

This will be a Government Bill which will be dealt with in the House after Easter.

May I ask a brief supplementary?

That disposes of questions for today. Some people are very exact on time today. I am proceeding to other business.

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