The preparatory work was carried out by an Interdepartmental Working Group of officials. In drawing up the Green Paper, submissions were invited from the public, from professional and voluntary organisations and any other parties who wished to contribute. Over 10,000 such submissions were received, as well as petitions containing 36,500 signatures. The Green Paper was published in September 1999. It has seven chapters.
Chapter one discusses the medical issues which arise in relation to the treatment of pregnant women.
Chapter two deals with the legal issues raised by the courts' interpretation of the Constitution and the law in relation to abortion. Chapter three deals with Ireland's obligations under international and European Union law and considers what implications these might have for constitutional or legal change in relation to abortion. Wider grounds for abortion are examined in an international context in chapter four. A summary of the issues raised in the submissions received is contained in chapter five. Chapter six discusses the social context of abortion.