Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

A total of 16 years ago, the Law Reform Commission recommended changes in the legislation. Why has no early warning system been put in place? Would the Attorney General, who defended the case before the Supreme Court and sits at the Cabinet table opposite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, not have been able to inform the Government that the case was going before the Supreme Court? In light of the recommendations made by the commission, should there not have been an understanding that this might have been the Supreme Court's decision?

Last week, the Taoiseach said it was important to plug this loophole, which is a serious gap in the law. On behalf of this side of the House, I offered full co-operation in this respect. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe produced a Bill that was never published. Out of courtesy, it was sent by the Bills Office to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform where someone subsequently briefed journalists on its content, which was an unprincipled act of politics.

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