Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The Order of Business announced by the Taoiseach represents the fourth draft of the business which was to be conducted today. Since Thursday last, we have been supplied with four different schedules of business for this week. It is extremely difficult to keep up with the Government, which appears to be changing its mind to such an extent regarding the business to be conducted in the House. This type of behaviour is unfair to Opposition spokespersons who are not quite as well resourced as Ministers.

A motion regarding the prison at Thornton Hall was due to be taken tomorrow. I understand it was withdrawn because it was realised, belatedly, that Opposition justice spokespersons and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform were to be engaged in other business at the relevant committee. When will the motion to which I refer be brought before the House?

The second schedule of business with which we were supplied indicated that the Second Stage debate on the Ethics in Public Office Bill was to resume. This legislation caused some difficulties to the Green Party previously as a result of the its containing provision to increase the thresholds for disclosure by Members of the Oireachtas for gifts they receive and the shares etc. they hold. Is the Government proceeding with the Ethics in Public Office Bill? If so, when will it come before the House?

When will the civil partnership Bill be introduced? The heads of the Bill were to have been received by the end of March. However, the Bill has not appeared. Will the Taoiseach indicate which Minister will be introducing the Bill when it is eventually brought forward?

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