Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá dhá cheist agam. One is about the marriage equality Bill and the other is about the Good Friday Agreement and the programme for Government commitment to the free implementation of that agreement. The Taoiseach will recall that last week I raised the issue of collusion and urged him to hold a debate on this important issue. He said he might divide the time for a debate on the North to include a debate on the Ballymurphy motion. He will recall that the Ballymurphy families are seeking a distinct and dedicated debate on the Ballymurphy massacre. They have told the Taoiseach and the Government that is their preference. They recalled to me that the Taoiseach gave them a commitment when he met them in Ballymurphy in March that they would have their own debate. There is also a need for a separate debate on collusion as that is a hugely important issue in its right. I note the Taoiseach raised the issue with the British Prime Minister last week.

Most immediately, we have a building crisis in the political institutions in the North. Yesterday's decision by Sinn Féin to give conditional support for the budget (no. 2) Bill gives some space to implement the Stormont House Agreement. That is an opportunity which should not be squandered. The Government as a co-equal guarantor has a crucial role to ensure this. I note the Minister for Foreign Affairs acknowledged the crisis facing the institutions if outstanding issues are not resolved. I ask the Taoiseach to give us some indication as to whether the debates I have outlined will be accommodated as soon as possible?

In regard to the marriage equality Bill, it is five weeks since that historic vote which saw citizens vote for marriage equality in overwhelming numbers. It was a hugely compassionate decision in favour of equality. We were told it would be enacted by the end of July. The Bill has not been published.

The Bills Office said yesterday it did not expect it any time soon. Why is it taking so long to draft a Bill on the referendum result, given that we have only four weeks before the Dáil rises? Can the Taoiseach provide some certainty about the publication of the Bill and the timetable required to get it through the Dáil and Seanad?

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