Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I advise colleagues that the Minister for Finance has confirmed his availability for 4 March for the statements that have been promised. We had hoped he would be able to come in next week but it will be the first day of the following week.

I will respond first to Senator O'Brien. I am pleased to hear that Fianna Fáil will be supporting the appointment of an An Coimisinéir Teanga, Rónán Ó Domhnaill. Of course the Government is fully committed to the protection of the Irish language. All of us were delighted to see the big crowd on the streets on Saturday for Lá Mór na Gaeilge and we look forward to debate this afternoon as well.

Senators O'Brien and Ó Clochartaigh asked whether I and the Labour Party have confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality. Of course we do. Senator Crown put it eloquently when he spoke of the intellect and reforming zeal of the Minister and this is undoubtedly the case. This Minister has already carried out many important reforms, including the introduction of the heads of the child and family agency legislation, family law reforms, reforms of the legal professions and penal reform, a subject I feel strongly about.