The Department of Health has announced the membership of a new committee tasked with drawing up guidelines for the operation of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.

Meanwhile, the Department has said that the commencement of the Act is not dependent on these guidelines being introduced and Helath Minister James Reilly intends to commence the Act this year.

The legislation, which allows for abortions in circumstances where there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, was signed into law by the President on July 30.

The Act has not yet formally been put into effect, as, according to the Department of Health, 'operational' issues still need to be addressed before it can be commenced.

A Department spokesman said, however, there is no legal requirement that guidelines be put in place in order for the Act to commence, and it is the Minister's intention that the Act be commenced this year.

The 12-member committee drawing up the guidelines has been given a three-month deadline to complete its work. It held its first meeting earlier this week.

It is chaired by public health specialist and former IMO President Dr Declan Bedford.

Other members are obstetricians Prof Michael Turner and Dr Geraldine Gaffney; psychiatrists Drs Joanne Fenton and Anthony McCarthy; GPs Drs Miriam Daly and Joe Clarke; physician Dr Kathleen McGarry; Sheila Sugrue, representing nursing and midwifery; medical ethics expert Dr Deirdre Madden; HSE executive Dr Cate Hartigan and Department of Health official Geraldine Luddy.

A Department spokesperson told irishhealth.com that the committee has been established to prepare 'high level inter-professional guidance' to direct the implementation of the Act.

"The guidance will include identifying referral pathways to fulfil the requirement of the Act and other relevant operational matters."