Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Public servants did not want to progress legislation because, lo and behold, it might be changed. One obvious response in finding out whether a proposal can make it through the Dáil is to undertake some consultation with people. That has not happened. One cannot blame the Dáil for the fact that legislation has not come forward. We asked yesterday about the Technological Universities Bill, which has not come near the Dáil. There have been external discussions with trade unions but it has not come near the Dáil. There is not much in it and there may be some disagreement - the word "shall" might become "may" in one section - but there is no reason for that to hang around for 12 months. The schools admissions Bill has been hanging around and a range of Bills could be dealt with if Ministers became more proactive. The bulk of the legislative programme is non-contentious but some of the commentariat have only been too willing to fall for the camouflage. The Dáil is not stopping Ministers from coming forward with legislation. They can do it if they wish and be more proactive. I do not know if the Taoiseach has sought from Ministers a list of legislation that could be published or which might be published if they knew what the reaction would be. What Bills are they holding back?

There is another key matter. Today we have learned the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has apparently had no meetings with any of his EU colleagues about Brexit.

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