Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----and the 1916 revolutionary quarter which has been proposed? Will the Government engage in the widest consultation to ensure the battlefield site, that is, all of Moore Street and the lanes of history, is properly developed? When will the national monument Bill be published?

We have been told, week in, week out, that the review of the fair deal system is on its way. This morning, there were 501 citizens on trolleys and again in Our Lady of Lourdes yesterday there were 54 and today 52 citizens on trolleys. In February, 9,600 people were on trolleys. We all understand that the provision of additional bed capacity and the reform of the fair deal nursing home scheme to facilitate the resolution of problems with delayed discharges are key to resolving this issue. Given the older population and the number of citizens who are dependent on care provided by nursing homes, this delay is baffling. Last month, the Minister said the review was on the Secretary General’s desk.

That was last month. When will it be published and will the Government allocate time to debate it?

Last week the Government published the heads of the international protection Bill, which is intended to reform the direct provision system through the creation of a single application procedure. Within 48 hours the CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, Sue Conlan, resigned from the McMahon working group because she stated the working group is not allowed have sight of or discuss the Bill about which she has expressed reservations. The Taoiseach previously told me the report by the working group chaired by Mr. Justice Bryan McMahon will be published by Easter. It is only a few days before Easter. Will it be published before then? When will the report be given to the Minister? Will the Taoiseach commit to a debate in the Dáil when it is published? Will he commit to a firm date for the publication of the international protection Bill as well?

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