Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach indicated that some of the commitments in the programme for Government will not be dealt with until the end of what he described as the Government's "first term". That was interesting, fair play to him. While it might be fair enough in normal times to put some issues back over the four or five-year term of a Government, these are not normal times. There are priorities to deal with, some of which I have itemised. I also asked the Taoiseach if he will bring forward a progress report on the health sector. It is the one sector that affects every single family in this State.

I endorse the Taoiseach's call for people to vote "Yes" in the referendum on children. I have, however, two concerns arising from my own experience of canvassing on the issue. It is clear that some people will vote "No" because they justifiably do not have any trust in the way the State is treating and has treated children. While acknowledge that reality, I applaud the work of the Minister in seeking to change it.

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