Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This proposal is characteristic of the way in which the Government is doing its business. The guillotine has been used in more than 50% of Bills before the House and it is proposed to use it today with three other Bills. The Government must show some respect for the process of debate and the right of Opposition and other Deputies to table amendments.

I join Deputies in extending congratulations to the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, on her election to the post of European Ombudsman. I remind the Minister that the Ombudsman has made a number of proposals which the Government has not yet implemented. I hope it will keep faith with the proposals she has made, one of which dates back to the time of the previous Fianna Fáil-led Government, namely, the recommendation that the families of those who have been lost at sea be compensated. I refer specifically to the Byrne family. No action has been taken on foot of this recommendation. There is no point in commending and congratulating the Ombudsman if her recommendations are not taken seriously.

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