Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I refer to a number of Bills. The first is the housing (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. In April 2012, it was promised for publication later that year but it is still awaited. The legislation is due to be published this session. Will the heads of the Bill be published and submitted to committee under the new system in order that a committee can deal with it and take representations from local authorities and organisations that are interested in addressing the crisis in housing and homelessness? It is urgent that the heads of the Bill be forwarded.

Prior to Christmas, the gender recognition Bill was in committee and its publication was expected either this session or mid-2014. The legislative programme states, "Publication not possible to indicate at this stage". Will the Taoiseach explain the delay, given the committee has finished its deliberations on the Bill and has submitted a report to the Department?

The civil registration (amendment) Bill was also promised this session. This is a long promised Bill which will address a number of issues but one that has disappeared from the description in the legislative programme is the registration of deaths of Irish persons who die abroad. What is the reason for this change?

I refer to legislation about which I have asked every session since the Government took power and which is close to my heart - the national paediatric hospital development board Bill. It is still not possible to indicate when this will be published, despite the Government announcing that the hospital would be built. The development board is obviously urgently required in order that work can be undertaken. An interim body is in place but it does not have the powers that this legislation would confer. I urge that the Bill be published within days, if possible, in order that work can continue.

See this speech in context