Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I seek the guidance of the Acting Chairperson. Is it possible for me to withdraw my Commencement matter? With all due respect to the Minister of State, and I am not criticising him personally, his reply is the exact same as the one he gave me last December. I know that because I compared the reply the contents of the two replies and they are almost word for word. I am not satisfied with the response and for this reason, I seek to withdraw my Commencement matter and direct it to the Minister for Justice. Is that possible?

Officials in the Department have indicated there has been progress but the delay is with the Department of Justice. No progress has been made for two years. We have heard about talks and discussions but nothing has happened, despite Ministers in a number of Departments giving commitments that there will be discussion or engagement on this matter. I ask that the Minister for Justice be invited to the House. I appreciate that may not be possible with a Commencement matter. I reiterate that the reply I received is not acceptable. I ask the Minister of State, at a minimum, to give a commitment that I will get an answer in writing within the next week from the Minister for Justice outlining progress.