Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

We have made legislative provision that has never been brought into effect under any order or secondary legislation.

I see the Greens have now changed their mind in respect of ABA schools and they now want to ensure parents get what they want in appropriate education for their children. Is the Tánaiste, who has taken a keen interest in the area, supportive of what was proposed by Fine Gael, the expansion of ABA schools as appropriate where required?

I seek the advice of the Ceann Comhairle on a matter that has come to my attention. On 8 February, the Minister for Health and Children found out about the disk stolen from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. Four days later, in response to a question from Deputy Leo Varadkar, who raised a question specific to this point, she stated she had to consult with the appropriate agencies under her remit to assemble the required details.

This is surely being worse than economical with the truth. There is an obligation that if a Deputy asks a question in the public interest, a reply would be given if the information is available. At the very minimum, the Deputy should be contacted to explain what is happening in respect of the matter. Was that not an unfair treatment of the House?

See this speech in context