Dáil debates

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

6:00 pm

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a number of issues to raise with the Taoiseach. The legislative programme lists the redress for women who were in certain institutions Bill.

That refers to the Magdalen women, of course. Can the Taoiseach give a date for the introduction of that legislation? Will he also say when we will see the terms of reference for the commission of inquiry into mother and baby homes? As he is aware, we were due to see them before the recess, but they did not materialise, and there has now been a change of Minister. Everybody concerned, including the victims, survivors and their advocacy groups, has urged that the terms of reference be inclusive and that the Government get them right. When will the terms of reference be available? Will the Taoiseach give an assurance that he has listened to all of the concerned voices?

Finally, I have raised on a number of occasions the overdue Government responses to, and the Dáil debates on, Constitutional Convention reports. The Taoiseach made much of the establishment of the convention. Tom Arnold stewarded the process with great effort and citizens partook in the debates and took decisions. Why is the Taoiseach dragging his heels on these matters? The Constitutional Convention's fourth report on Dáil electoral reform, for example-----

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