Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in response to a question from my colleague, Deputy Ciarán Lynch, yesterday, announced that the Government would introduce legislation to cap expenditure in local elections. I welcome that announcement. When will this legislation be introduced? Given that local elections are scheduled for June next year, will the Government consider adding another part to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill before the House to provide for a cap on expenditure in local elections?

What arrangements will be made to debate the report of the Morris tribunal in the House? Does the Ceann Comhairle intend to convene a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to consider the enormous implications of the report for Members of the House? My party and I fully stand over and support the actions taken by our colleague, Deputy Brendan Howlin, and former Deputy Jim Higgins and the way in which they handled the information provided for them. The implications of the report are very serious for every Member of the House. Many of us come into possession of information on matters such as child abuse or other problems. The idea that an individual Member of the House would have to conduct some kind of private investigation into material brought before him or her has serious implications for all of us. I ask that an early meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges be convened to consider the matter and the implications of the report for all Members of the House.

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