Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I am reminded of the correspondence between the Minister and Deputy Sherlock on the matter. The Deputy brought to the Minister's attention the necessity for primary legislation on the issue. The Minister, including in his letter of 11 April, dismissed the idea on the basis of previous advice from the Attorney General. We then find, just as we are about to fold our tents for the summer recess, that the Minister discovers that primary legislation is necessary in cases where the UN subcontracts peacekeeping. Broadly we have supported the Bill and I do not take issue with it.

There is no reason the House could not sit next week to finalise various important Bills that are being railroaded through and to deal with various reports that have been withheld to date. I am advised that the Dalton report has been issued in the past few hours. Again this is an issue that this House needs time to discuss.

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