Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Tá cúpla ceist ar dtús faoi reachtaíocht atá fógraithe. On 26 January, the Tánaiste told the Dáil the Government is not considering legislation to introduce a system of attachment orders, which would allow money to be taken from wages or social welfare payments so the Government can implement the punitive household and septic tank charges. However, in a written reply to my colleague, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald, the Minister for Justice and Equality said that such legislation is being prepared. Can the Taoiseach clarify this? Does the Government intend to bring forward such legislation? Will there be a facility to collect fines through attachment of earnings or reductions in social welfare payments? Has there been any consultation between the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Social Protection? If this Bill is to be published, when does the Taoiseach expect that to happen? Is the Tánaiste aware of this and, if not, will the Taoiseach tell him? Perhaps as Leader of the Labour Party he is too ashamed to admit it.

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