Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I wish to ask the Taoiseach a question in respect of the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill. This Bill was put into suspension before, for good reasons, when the previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was in charge. There were implications that it might send a wrong signal to a tribunal sitting on particular matters. Obviously, the Taoiseach will have to do his business before the tribunal again. Does he not think that it would be beneficial to leave this Bill aside for a couple of months in order not to send that kind of signal to the tribunal? Is this not a symptom of a complete lack of legislative proposals from the Government? Six months after the general election there is no legislative programme and we have statements this week which, in many respects, is not why we are here. Has the Taoiseach not considered the implications of taking the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill now, in view of the fact that, in his capacity, he will have to appear before the tribunal and answer questions again in a few weeks' time? This could be better left for a period until that matter is out of the way one way or another.

Did the Cabinet finalise its view today on the question of this country supplying troops to Chad on peace enforcement and peacekeeping duties? Was the Cabinet satisfied by the Minister for Defence's briefing that sufficient logistical and air transport capacity is being supplied by other European countries so that the mission can be undertaken with the necessary degree of safety and protection for our troops? When will that matter come before the House for discussion with a view to fulfilling the requirements before this country supplies troops to any other country such as Chad?

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