Fiona O'Malley (Independent)

On the passports issue, two letters in The Irish Times today offer suggestions, one from a councillor in the Labour Party who recommends that staff should provide the service and that people should cease paying the passport fee, which is all very well given it hits the Government. However, it also hits the country, which is an irresponsible attitude. The second letter relates to an individual who is trying to do business for the State and has been waiting three weeks for a passport for a business colleague to allow them travel abroad to get business for this State. We have seen lists of the people whose businesses and lives are being interrupted by the action at the Passport Office. The suggestion is made in the second letter that the service be privatised thus ensuring Irish citizens are guaranteed their constitutional right to a passport, a proposal worthy of consideration.

I am sure I am not the only person who is a little disappointed to note that once again the debate on women in politics has been moved, despite a promise it would be discussed here. I, like many other people, have done some work on this and I am keen to see reform in this area. I welcome the changes proposed by Fine Gael on this issue. However, debate on this issue is again being delayed. When will that debate take place in this House? Will the Leader give a guarantee that the goal posts will not be shifted again? Those of us who want to present real and radical reforms are simply being delayed.