Alex White (Labour)

Before Christmas emergency legislation was introduced in this House by the Minister for Health and Children to deal with the Attorney General's concerns about the constitutional status of various bodies. I am not sure whether assurances were given, but I and many of my colleagues had an understanding that this type of approach to legislation would not be repeated except in extremis. There is a report in today's newspapers, however, of an intention on the part of the Government to introduce a Bill in the House next week to do the same thing for bodies set up under local government legislation. Interestingly, it seems we find out what happens in these Houses in The Irish Times and on RTE rather than in the House. The newspapers report that not only is it intended to introduce this legislation but that it is expected to pass all Stages in the Dáil and Seanad by the end of next week.

Journalists do not always get things right, but I ask the Leader to confirm to the House whether it is intended to introduce this legislation next week. If this is the case will he explain why there was no mention of such emergency legislation when a question was raised yesterday about next week's business, as often occurs? I ask this question tentatively and without any intention to criticise the Leader or anyone else. I expect he was not aware of the legislation. If this is the case, what is the state of affairs in these Houses when the newspapers know before the Members what legislation is to be introduced and passed on all Stages? Where does that leave any debate about the relevance of these Houses? I would like a direct answer to this question from the Leader.

I wish to pick up on a related matter mentioned by Senator Fitzgerald about the ongoing debate and concerns among Fianna Fáil and other Government party Senators and Deputies in respect of various issues of public controversy. I respectfully say to the House that it is wrong that public debate is shifting, as appears to be the case, from these Houses to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.