Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I want to ensure that I am not misquoted. The Office of the Attorney General is not causing a blockage. There are complex legal issues that must be overcome. It is incumbent on the Attorney General and on my Department to ensure that, when the legislation is introduced, it will stand up to scrutiny. We want to be absolutely certain that, when the legislation is introduced in 2008, it will be watertight.

The first issue the Minister, Deputy Gormley, raised with me was that he had committed himself to the introduction of this Bill. There is certainly no delay on our part. We are anxious to make progress, but we must be satisfied that all the legal complexities are addressed.

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