Dáil debates

Thursday, 1 October 2015

12:45 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Given the international crisis with refugees coming from the war-torn areas of Syria in particular and also from Kurdistan and places like that, can we have a debate quite quickly given the pronouncements made before the Dáil resumed to ensure that all the parties can lend support for Ireland to play its full part?

In her response to my question on Leaders' Questions, the Tánaiste mentioned the Dublin Docklands in particular. However, the legislation is stuck on Second Stage. If she believes that is the mechanism by which the Government will address the needs of those who are in Longboat Quay, will the Government accelerate that so that Dublin City Council, with hopefully the support of Government and legislation, can take charge and do what the Tánaiste is suggesting? It is not the full answer.

I ask about the Convention on the Constitution. On a number of occasions I have asked for debates on the outstanding reports from the convention which I have repeatedly praised as a having been a good experiment in participatory democracy. However, by the Oireachtas failing to have debates within the time it had set out, we are insulting the chair and those who took part. There was a commitment that those reports - there are three if not four left to be discussed - would be debated in the Chamber within three months of publication. At this stage it is almost two years since publication of some of those reports.

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