Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will list the Bills published by her since the new Government took office. [17116/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the Bills she intends to publish before the end of 2012. [17117/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the Bills she intends to introduce to Dáil Éireann if this Government runs its full five year term and the approximate time frame in which she hopes to publish each Bill. [17118/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 233, inclusive, together.

I have an extensive legislative programme to address a number of issues which fall within my remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

My first legislative priority was to establish the Department of Children and Youth Affairs as a legal entity. In order to do this efficiently, I made significant amendments to the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009, rather than wait to introduce a new Bill. The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 was enacted in July 2011. The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 also provided for the establishment, on a statutory basis, of the special care processes in the High Court. I have made considerable progress in addressing the legislative programme of my Department and I intend to introduce the following Bills in the Dáil in 2012:

Amendment to the Constitution Bill (Children's Referendum);

Adoption Bill (relating to the Children's Referendum);

Children First Bill;

Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill;

Child and Family Support Agency Bill:,and

Children Act (Amendment ) Bill