Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

It is not possible at this stage to indicate a date for publication of the register of persons considered unsafe to work with children Bill. The Deputy may be aware that a committee of the House is at present considering child protection issues. One of the issues that has arisen in that context is the question of soft information and whether it is constitutionally possible to have a register that deals with soft information rather than simply with convictions. This is an issue to which attention is being given by Members of the House in the context of that committee.

I understand the climate change issue was raised among the Whips yesterday. It is a matter which can be dealt with by agreement among the Whips.

See this speech in context