Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Taoiseach about the Government's position on the Narrow Water Bridge project. I understand he has said he is now committed to ensuring the project will go ahead to the next round of European Union funding. I have raised this issue with the Taoiseach many times. The project did not go ahead because of the Government's failure to provide the financial investment needed to supplement the funding from local councils and the European Union.

The Taoiseach will be aware that this has the support of all of the parties in Louth, south Down and south Armagh and that the North-South Ministerial Council of last November stated its unanimous support for this worthy project. Perhaps the Taoiseach would update the House on this matter.

Last July, the Taoiseach told me, and more important, the Dáil, that the Walsh report on symphysiotomy would be published soon. Almost a year later, there is still no sign of it. Last November, the Taoiseach appointed Judge Murphy to examine the issue of symphysiotomy and bring closure to the many women who have suffered this barbaric practice. It should be remembered that most of these women are very elderly. The Walsh report was to be completed within eight weeks. I have previously raised this issue with the Taoiseach on a number of occasions. In his absence prior to Easter I raised it with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, who told me he would come back to me on the matter. I then received a note saying that an update would be provided but none has been received. More important, no one, least of all the victims, is any the wiser. When will the Murphy report and, separately, the Walsh report into this cruel and totally unacceptable, sinister and evil practice of symphysiotomy be published?

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