Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would also like to ask for a debate on the siting of the children's hospital, although it is unrealistic to expect that debate to take place today. It is unnecessary. I would much prefer us to have a proper debate on that issue when we have had a chance to prepare for it and get briefings in advance. I was involved in the Coombe hospital bid, as a supporter of that bid, as a local resident and as somebody who has been involved in various ways with that hospital. I felt at the time that it would have been more appropriate to have had a children's hospital located on the same site as a maternity hospital. I am concerned to see that this issue has been re-opened since. As the decision has been taken to site the hospital at St. James's Hospital, it is important that progress be made in order that we can have a children's hospital in place. I know the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has given assurances that it will go ahead, as has the Minister for Health. When there is a perception of a delay, unfortunately, that allows new issues to arise in respect of the choice of the site. We need to see some clarity on it.

While I would welcome such a debate, it is unrealistic to expect that debate to happen today. It is not helpful to have a debate until we have had a chance to prepare for it and to get briefings in advance. I would welcome the opportunity to invite in experts to address us on this. Let us hear from An Taisce and others who have raised issues about the site at St. James's Hospital. That would be helpful in advance of a debate and it would make our debate much more meaningful. I would welcome the Minister in a few weeks when we have had that opportunity to prepare.

When is it proposed to take the new human rights and Equality Authority Bill? I think we should expect it before Christmas, but I am not sure of the timing of it. On Monday, I attended the first joint launch of the two authorities' annual reports, namely, the 2012 reports for the existing Equality Authority and Human Rights Commission. They were launched together in the Mansion House with the Minister for Justice and Equality. It is a sign of the work to come when we have a merged authority, but it is very important that we see that merger take place through the legislation as soon as possible. We have done much work at the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality with the commissioners designate on the merged authority, but we need to see progress on the legislation and I would like to know when it will be brought before the House.