Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Not everything is for free but people are entitled to certain rights and they should not have to pay for them. These include water and health.

Following what Deputy Martin said, I wish to mention four pieces of legislation that were also in the programme for Government, which in some cases the Government has failed to even publish. The programme for Government committed to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities into domestic law.

The Bill in question is the disability/quality (miscellaneous provisions) Bill which has not even been published. It certainly will not be passed before tomorrow.

Another commitment in the programme for Government related to adoption. The Bill in question is the Adoption (Tracing And Information) Bill. It was first due for publication in 2013. Last July, the Government finally approved the publication of the general scheme and heads of the Bill. Again, it has failed to make it on to the priority list and will not be passed before this Dáil ends.

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, to protect children and vulnerable citizens against sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as making it a criminal offence for those who try to buy sexual services, has been introduced and was due to be debated in the Dáil this week. The likelihood of it progressing through all Stages before the Dáil completes this term is slim to none.

The health and wellbeing (calorie posting and workplace wellbeing) Bill was another priority. The Taoiseach may be aware of the HSE's cancer control programme that one person a day dies from a cancer attributable to obesity. This legislation was to help address that issue but again, it has not even been published.

Will the Taoiseach explain why priorities in the programme for Government have not even reached the stage of publication?

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