Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I recall that last October, when the Labour Party put its Civil Unions Bill before the House, the Government promised it would produce the heads of its own civil unions Bill in February. As it is now February and given the day that is in it tomorrow, perhaps the Taoiseach will indicate when we will see that legislation.

The Ceann Comhairle wrote to me this morning, and I thank him for that, arising from the matters I raised yesterday. I acknowledge that I should have given the Ceann Comhairle notice yesterday prior to raising what were detailed and complicated matters. I wish to ask two questions arising from the Ceann Comhairle's letter. I understand from press reports that the Government does not intend to contest the application being made by the Smithwick tribunal to the High Court for the production of Cabinet documents. This is welcome. Will the House become a party to the action being taken by the Taoiseach to the High Court, which he states is in respect of parliamentary privilege? In the Ceann Comhairle's letter to me, he pointed out that under section 4 of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 and 2006, the commission may seek leave to be joined as a notice party in legal proceedings provided it has been duly authorised by the Dáil to do so. Given the Taoiseach's statement yesterday concerning the purpose of his visit to the High Court — to protect parliamentary privilege — does he intend to bring a motion to the Dáil on behalf of the Government to authorise the commission to become a notice party to the action?

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