Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Tánaiste said the ordering of legislation is a matter for the Whips. Surely the Child Care (Amendment) Bill is something for the Minister and the Government to bring before the House. I am not aware that the Whips make the determination as to whether legislation will present here that has already made its passage through the Seanad, concluding on 6 May. It is a hugely important Bill and recent tragic events underscore the need for it even more. Rather than kicking this to the Whips, which is a stock in trade answer in all of these cases, will the Government facilitate the presentation of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill before the Dáil at the earliest opportunity? The notion that the so-called emergency legislation in regard to the Health Service Executive files on the deaths of children can be expected to come before us by the end of June is unacceptable. That is not emergency legislation and I wonder at the full import behind the Government's intent.

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