Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach gave a specific commitment in respect of legislation to deal with the racing industry and betting tax. It should be noted that there is growing concern about the status of the racing industry. There must be legal base to what the Taoiseach committed himself to and the earlier that is done, the better. May I ask the Tánaiste if it is envisaged that this legislation will come into the House before the summer recess?

Am I to understand from reports that the legislation dealing with a directly elected mayor for Dublin is to come into the House at the end of September or October and that the proposition is to have elections either in October or November? We must have some clarity about that. The Labour Party will move the writ shortly for the Dublin South by-election, which I will support. Writs have been moved for two other by-elections - one in the Tánaiste's own constituency.

There is much talk about the holding of the referendum on children's rights. The Tánaiste has said that is of such importance it should be a stand-alone issue. There are three by-elections, a mayoralty election and a referendum on children's rights pending yet there is no clarity from Government about any of that. It would be in everybody's interest if the Tánaiste could specify what is to happen regarding those matters between now and the rising of the House for the summer recess.

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