Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise three pieces of legislation, but, first, I wish to refer to two other issues. During Taoiseach's Questions, a number of times the Taoiseach has made a suggestion about priority questions. Perhaps he or you, a Cheann Comhairle, might be able to advise us on how that could be introduced. Both Teachta Higgins and I, separately, have tried to inquire about when debates will be held on certain matters. Could we be advised on the best way to do that, in particular in terms of a debate on the crisis on water charges?

The Government has committed to amend the Constitution to provide for a voting age of 16, which would be very welcome, and a Bill for that purpose is being drafted. Will the Taoiseach confirm when the Bill will be introduced and if it will be published in 2015? Could the extension of the franchise to citizens in the North and the diaspora be considered as part of the Bill?

We are inundated with complaints from citizens who are not happy with the treatment they have received during their participation in the judicial system. Will the Taoiseach confirm when the judicial council Bill will be introduced and, if possible, will he outline the main provisions of the Bill?

The children and family relations Bill will come before the Dáil, given that a revised scheme of the Bill was published in September. Could we have a sense of the timescale for the completion of the drafting process? I accept the legislation is complex but it requires sufficient time for scrutiny and discussion. The Bill could help to keep pace with a changing Ireland.

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