Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take this opportunity ask the Leader to get some information for the House on the adoption (information and tracing) Bill? A lot of work has been carried out previously on this Bill and I would hate to see it slip off the radar at this stage. The former Deputy, Anne Ferris, did a huge amount on the legislation and it is a very important Bill.

I also request information on the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill. There was all-party agreement for the report compiled by the justice committee. The Bill passed through all Stages in this House following a set of strong contributions made by many Senators and it had commenced Second Stage in the Dáil. Can the Leader ascertain the current status of the Bill and when it will be re-introduced? It is a very important Bill in terms of protecting sex workers and the criminalisation that is taking place in that area. I would be grateful if the legislation could be brought forward.

In terms of the comments made by Senator Norris about bin workers and the waste charges for lifting the bins, I too look forward to the debate tomorrow. Those who forced the privatisation, and in the process moved the service away from local authorities by a daily protest and encouragement of people not to pay waste management charges to their local authorities, are the very ones who generated the privatisation of the service. As soon as the private sector moved in I did not see one protest against the private sectors companies. When local authority workers carried out a very good public service throughout the country those same people were at the forefront of the protests, demonstrations and the locking of bin lorries into their yards, thus not allowing them to collect refuse in this city and in many parts of the country. Therefore, I very much welcome tomorrow's debate. It is an opportunity for us to hear the views of Members from different parties, but let us remember the forced privatisation through a non-payment campaign to local authorities.