Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to make the same point as Deputy Micheál Martin. If, as we read in the newspapers, the Labour Party Deputies are being given a briefing on the Attorney General's advice, the rest of us deserve the same briefing.

I wish to refer to the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010, the related international protection Bill, the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill and the priorities set out by the Minister for Health. I asked last week about the timeframe for the completion of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill but I did not get a clear answer. I later received a letter from the Minister for Justice and Equality in which she explained that, because the Bill is expected to take some time, she has decided to fast-track a separate international protection Bill to meet several particular and immediate concerns. I thank her for that letter. However, I would like to know from the Taoiseach when he expects the general scheme of the international protection Bill to be published. When does he expect the Bill itself to be published?

The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 was a hugely important Bill, the purpose of which was to update and reform the outdated law governing decision-making by those whose capacity may be impaired. It was intended that it should replace the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871, on which much of our current system is based. The significance of this was underpinned recently by the allegations of abuse which featured in the RTE programme on the Áras Attracta home in December last. What is needed is a clear legal framework which guarantees that citizens with impaired mental capacity have rights. The 2013 Bill would bring the State into greater compliance with international best practice. It is hugely important. The Bill was introduced 20 months ago, and passed Second Stage on 11 December 2013. It was sent to the committee on 12 December 2013, but it has never been discussed. There is an issue with regard to why progress has been so slow. When does the Taoiseach expect this to be taken at Committee Stage, and does he realistically envisage that it will pass all Stages and become law before the term of this Government is finished?

To return to my previous question, the Minister for Health promised that he would extend the remit of HIQA to other health and social care sectors, commencing in 2015 with private health care providers. I would like to know when that is envisaged. Given that HIQA has written telling me that the Government has failed to act on its recommendations, when will the Government implement the recommendations made by HIQA in its reports on Tallaght hospital and other facilities?

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