Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Two issues arise in connection with promised legislation. In an unprecedented display 5,000 people wearing red jerseys walked on the streets of Limerick last Sunday in a plea to the Government to deal with gangland crime and criminal activity. In response, after the march, the Minister for Defence, on behalf of the Government, promised new legislation which the Cabinet was to approve yesterday. Has it approved such legislation? When will it be published and enacted? Is the Taoiseach prepared to give the details of the legislation the Minister described?

A new crime of blasphemy has been reached on Committee Stage but to date has not been defined in law. The House did not debate the matter on Second Stage because it was a new measure in the form of an amendment that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform suddenly introduced. Does it represent Government policy? The Taoiseach might note the comments of the Green Party Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who appeared somewhat surprised by and less than supportive of the measure. Will the Taoiseach detail why the legislation is being brought forward now and confirm that it has the full support of the Government?

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