Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

We appreciate the decision to arrange a two-hour debate on the matter tomorrow, which will allow Senators to discuss the important issues at stake.

In the last two weeks, Senators have called on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to allow residency to be granted to the parents of Irish children who were born in this State. According to newspaper reports today, it seems the Government intends to allow up to 17,000 families to remain in this country. I welcome the Government's new humane position in this regard. The arguments made in this House were based on the Supreme Court decision. It is right and proper that Ireland should grant residency to people whose children were born in this country. I compliment the many groups outside this House which have campaigned, lobbied and argued this case in recent months. While I welcome the proposed Government decision, I would like to know whether it will make the change by means of legislation or ministerial order. Can the Leader clarify the matter?

The independent commission established to examine Dáil boundaries produced its report approximately eight months ago, but legislation to that effect has not yet been brought to the Oireachtas. I presume a Bill will be introduced early in the new year. When an independent commission produces a report of this nature, it is important that it be brought before the House for its consideration. There are controversial issues in the report, not least the proposed changes to the status of County Leitrim. The matter should be brought before the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity.