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

I, too, want to raise the issue of the terms of reference for the commission of inquiry into the mother and baby homes. It is welcome that the Tánaiste has indicated that there are draft terms of reference; that is progress. What are the plans to circulate them, not just to Departments but also to survivor and advocacy groups, if that is part of the plan? When does the Tánaiste believe the draft terms of reference might find their way to the floor of the Dáil? I am sure she is aware of the level of anxiety about the ongoing delays among the very many affected by this issue. She is aware also that these groups are of one mind that the terms of reference must be institutionally inclusive, thematically comprehensive and that a half-way house will not do. In other words, this job has to be done thoroughly and vigorously and I suggest to the Tánaiste that the way to ensure that will happen is to circulate the terms of reference in draft form not just to other Members of the Oireachtas but, crucially, to these groups also.

I ask the Tánaiste to update us on the consolidated domestic violence legislation for which we have been waiting. What progress has been made on it?

I raise a third issue which I raised with the Taoiseach, but he did not get to answer. It concerns the ongoing abuse of subcontracting regulations in the construction industry, including on Government building projects such as at Kishogue community college in Lucan, County Dublin. Does the Government intend to bring forward legislation to tighten the regulations and prevent tax avoidance and forced welfare fraud?

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