Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I revert to the theme of legislation that, while promised, has not been published. The pink list in respect of the Department of Health and Children details three Bills, namely, the adoption Bill, the child care Bill and the health long-term residential care services Bill. None of them has been published despite their presence on this term's publication list.

Deputy Stanton referred to the adoption Bill, but the issue is older than he stated. As the Ceann Comhairle knows, it used to be within the remit of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Bill, which relates to the Hague Convention, dates back approximately ten years, but it has not been published. Will the three Bills be published during the holiday period?

Since the Government now has the time, will it begin consultations on the long-term residential care Bill? Obviously, the Bill will not be published before tomorrow. The Government should consult groups such as Age Action Ireland and other representatives of the elderly who have concerns about the likely contents of the legislation.

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