Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom dhá cheist a chur ar an Taoiseach, ceann amháin a bhaineann le reachtaíocht atá fórógraithe. I have raised the Children First Bill a few times. The heads of the Bill have been published but we have yet to see the full Bill. In January the European Court of Human Rights found in favour of abuse survivor, Ms Louise O’Keeffe. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, put in place a review to deal with other cases. Ms O’Keeffe has expressed disappointment at the time it is taking the Department of Education and Skills to address the claims of other victims. I understand the Minister updated the Cabinet on this yesterday. When will the review be completed and when will the Dáil have sight of the Children First Bill? Would it be pertinent, prudent or timely for the Minister to make a statement on his review to the Dáil at the earliest opportunity?

Last July, the Taoiseach told the Dáil that the Walsh report on symphysiotomy would be published soon. The Minister had it for two months before that and almost a year later it has not been published. Last November, the Government appointed Ms Justice Murphy to examine symphysiotomy and to bring closure to the many women who suffered this barbaric practice. That was to be completed in eight weeks. When will it be published? We all know, from having met the victims of symphysiotomy, how barbaric the procedure was. Many of the women are elderly, some are in poor health and these issues need to be brought to closure promptly and effectively. When will the Murphy and Walsh reports be published?

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