Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Most importantly, I welcome the opportunity to address the emergency legislation tomorrow. Clearly, it is something that not only the Members of this House but also the public will welcome.

Looking at the proposal on the Order of Business today regarding No. 12a, motion re sittings and business of the Dáil, one would have to say that this reflects a Government in crisis. Over the past week, conflicting information has been provided to us in the House concerning knowledge and awareness of and responsibility for the Supreme Court decision and all that emanates from it. We have addressed these details fully over recent days but there are critical points arising from that that also need to be addressed.

Yesterday, the Tánaiste admitted that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform was told of the challenge as far back as 2002. The Attorney General was represented in this case and he sits at the Cabinet table, yet the Tánaiste claims that neither he nor the Minister knew about the case. It is hard for people to accept that is credible. There must cracks in all that that will yet be exposed. There is a responsibility on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to attend the House today to explain his role and that of the Attorney General regarding this case.

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