Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the Deputy Adams's first comment, I note that he took part in the programme broadcast last night. I accept what he said about having a genuine interest in seeing that those in possession of information relating to this matter should make it known and available in order that closure might be achieved. The fact is that somebody ordered that Jean McConville be murdered, someone instructed that people take her away, someone instructed Dolours Price to drive the vehicle used across the Border and that someone gave the instruction in respect of what took place. It may be that those people are still around and that they know what happened. The Deputy's appeal - from this House - may well have some effect and I hope it does. In the context of others who were made to disappear in a similar fashion and who are laid to rest - in tragic circumstances - in County Meath or County Monaghan, there are people out there who know that happened to these individuals. It is time that those to whom I refer engaged with the commission established for this purpose by the previous Government. I do not believe anyone here would disagree with that. I hope the programme broadcast last evening will stimulate the people in question into making available the information in their possession. A number of very direct comments were made about the Deputy's presence on the programme.

The family home tax is collected by the Revenue Commissioners, which have the authority to debit any moneys owed directly from the bank accounts of those who do not pay. That is different from the position with regard to water charges, the collection of which by local authorities was organised by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Local authorities do not have the same constitutional authority as the Revenue Commissioners.

Deputy Adams also referred to the proposed referendum on gay marriage. The Government considered this matter this morning and accepted the recommendation of the Constitutional Convention to the effect that a question on gay marriage should be put to the people. This is one of eight recommendations the convention has put forward in respect of matters it considered. The convention has made recommendations to the Government in the three reports it has submitted. The Deputy will be aware that, following its most recent deliberations, the Constitutional Convention recommended change in respect of the articles in the Constitution which deal with blasphemy. The Government has decided that the matter raised by the Deputy and a number of others should be put to the people by mid-2015. On gay marriage, the preparatory legislation in respect of family support and other issues will hopefully be published by the Minister for Justice and Equality before Christmas. The question that is often posed in respect of this issue relates to adoption. This is a matter on which the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs will follow through. There is no referendum planned for 2014. However, this and a number of other proposals made by the Constitutional Convention will be considered by the people by mid-2015.

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