Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Is it the Taoiseach's intention to bring legislation to the floor of the House to deal with the governance issues that have been raised? I submitted a Topical Issue, but it was rejected for discussion today. We are fooling nobody, even if we are fooling ourselves, if we do not regard the issue as topical. The governance arrangements have been the subject of much discussion, but the Government has dropped the ball and let women down again. If there ever was an issue that was topical on which we could all agree, this is it. Will the Taoiseach make it clear that the governance arrangements will be settled before contracts are signed? The legislative programme mentions the establishment of the national children's hospital, but the legislation has not even been brought before us yet, while the contracts are about to be signed. The women of Ireland want the governance issues to be resolved. We do not want religious involvement in maternity services. Will the Taoiseach give an assurance that if legislation is required, it will be drafted quickly and before contracts are signed?

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