Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste said legislation would be brought forward in respect of CAB. Will she outline a timeline relating to when that legislation will be brought before the House? With regard to the terrible increase in violent crime, particularly in inner city Dublin, I refer to a commitment in the programme for Government to a new intelligence-led police infrastructure that would help to prevent and detect crime, which would involve modern technology and resources but which would also be underpinned by legislation. When will that legislation be brought forward? While there are clearly resourcing issues, there are also issues about sharing of information and the use of modern technology that will make policing more effective.

The other issue that has been raised by previous speakers relates to when the Dáil will rise for the summer and resume in the autumn. I have referred to two crime related Bills. I acknowledge the Ceann Comhairle said this is a matter for the House but if we finish in early July and come back in late September, we clearly will not have appropriate time for legislation. We have also been promised a new budgetary process in the programme for Government whereby Members and committees of the House will be involved in preparing the budget. If we are going to do that, we need enough time between the summer recess and the announcement of the budget for the House and its committees to do that. I add my voice to the others in respect of not having an overlong recess. As Deputy McDonald said, I understand the work to be done in the Chamber is not major. While other work needs to be done around the House, could we not sit in the Chamber while this work is being carried out and find accommodation, if necessary, for us in other places?

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