Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 160: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the proposed new Immigration Bill will be published; his proposed legislative timetable for the Bill; if he will bring the Heads of the Bill before the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30631/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Deputies will be aware that I recently referred the Scheme of the proposed Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. The Scheme has been circulated to members of both Houses and has been sent to the Human Rights Commission for its observations. It has also been published on my Department's website and my Department has put in place a dedicated e-mail address — immigrationbill@justice.ie — to which interested parties can send their comments.

I expect that the Bill will be published early next year. After publication, its legislative progress will be in the Hands of the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Dáil Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights will have an opportunity to consider the Bill in detail during the Committee Stage of its progress through the Dáil. Should the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights wish to consider the Scheme of the Bill in advance of that process, it is open to that Committee to do so of its own initiative.

I expect that publication of the Scheme will stimulate wide public debate on the shape of immigration law and policies in the State and I look forward to receiving comments and suggestions for the legislation, from whatever source, over the coming months.