Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to add Sinn Féin's condolences to the condolences expressed by Teachta Calleary on the death of Ted Nealon. I want to extend our condolences to the Taoiseach, to Fine Gael and to the Nealon family. I also want to add my voice to Teachta Joan Collins's tribute to the late Pete Seeger and to record my great admiration for him. I want to extend my condolences to the Seeger family on his passing.

I have two questions, the first of which is maidir le reachtaíocht atá forógraithe; namely, the Children First Bill. Yesterday's European Court of Human Rights judgment in favour of Louise O'Keeffe found that the State was liable for the sexual abuse she suffered. In his response to me yesterday, the Taoiseach acknowledged that Ms O'Keeffe's case "clearly indicates the scale of that historical abuse and the failures... to protect children" and emphasised that "the protection of children is absolutely a priority for the Government". The heads of the Children First Bill have been published, but when can we see the full Bill? Can Ms O'Keeffe expect to receive a full apology, along with the other victims and survivors, for the failure to deal with her compassionately over a long time? Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Education and Skills to make a statement to the Dáil at the earliest opportunity?

It is clear from the answer given by the Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions that the North-South interconnector is not part of the review that was established by the Cabinet yesterday. The Government is now seeking to include it in the review and the Taoiseach is hopeful in that regard.

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