Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My colleague Deputy Durkan made reference to the sale of alcohol Bill, which we are informed is delayed until later this year. The control of gambling Bill is also delayed and there is no indication at all as to when it will be published. Why are these two important pieces of legislation being long-fingered?

When does the Government expect to receive the Fennelly report? Will the Tánaiste give a commitment that it will be published immediately?

I refer to the point raised by Deputy Mary Lou McDonald - because it is very valid - in respect of the Constitutional Convention. The Tánaiste's response is facile, in my view. There are four reports outstanding from the Constitutional Convention. The matter of the convention has been raised repeatedly at meetings of the Whips. With all due respect to the Government Chief Whip, it is not his fault nor the fault of the Whips that the reports have not been forthcoming. It is our clear understanding that they are not forthcoming because the Departments have not given them the priority they deserve. The Government, who set all the deadlines in respect of the Constitutional Convention and who established it with great fanfare, is now sailing very close to the wind in terms of what I would regard as the contempt with which it is treating the recommendations of the Constitutional Convention.

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