Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

On two Bills in the pink document allegedly to be taken this session, will the Taoiseach indicate if it is anticipated they will be published this month or next month? I ask because the two Bills in question have been around for many years. The first would provide for the establishment of a DNA database. I recall that when the Ceann Comhairle was Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform he announced, in a great fanfare of publicity, that the legislation was about to be published. That was eight years ago. When will we see the legislation? The provision of a DNA database is a necessity and Ireland stands out in Europe in not having such a database. The second Bill is the adoption Bill to implement the Hague Convention on Foreign Adoptions. This legislation had, to my best recollection, been promised for six years. Will the Taoiseach indicate in what month these Bills will be published and whether the House will have an opportunity during this session and before the summer vacation to debate them on Second Stage?

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