Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I confirm that I have met different organisations to obtain their views on different approaches that may be taken in the development of the legislation. I do not normally sing hymns but I assure the Deputy that the Attorney General and I are co-operating very closely in the development of the legislation. This is a difficult and complicated area to address. There are various rights issues of which we must be conscious in the manner in which we approach this. We have yet to bring what I describe as the final form of the Bill to Cabinet. There has been, however, a preliminary discussion by the Government on the approach we are taking. While we hope to publish the legislation before the end of this term, I am not in a position to give the Deputy a specific time. As we continue to develop the Bill and progress through October and into early November, I hope to have a clearer perspective of the exact time. The legislation is part of the programme for Government and is in the A list of Bills to be published during this session. I am anxious we meet that commitment.

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