Michael Noonan
Ceist:108 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Government intends to hold a referendum on the abortion issue during the lifetime of the current Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14356/01]
Written Answers. - Abortion Referendum.
The Cabinet Committee is currently considering the fifth progress report of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, dealing with the issue of abortion. It is not possible at this stage to indicate a time scale for the completion of the committee's work.
The all-party committee's proposals on crisis pregnancies are also being examined. While in principle the Government is committed to an approach along the lines set out in the report, considerable preparatory work will need to be undertaken before a plan such as that proposed can be put in place. Work is under way in my Department on appropriate arrangements for the establishment of an agency such as that proposed by the all-party committee. It would be the task of this agency, when established, to prepare a national plan to combat crisis pregnancy and to oversee its implementation.