asked the Minister for Justice if he proposes to receive a deputation from the Dublin Council of trade unions which represents about 170,000 trade unionists so that they can make known to him their views on the proposed Criminal Justice Bill.

The answer is "Yes."

Can the Minister indicate what was the cause of the delay in this matter, bearing in mind the organisation concerned?

I am not aware of any delay. I had written to this organisation before I got this Question telling them that I would meet them at a time mutually convenient. The most suitable time to meet them and discuss the matter with them would be after the Second Reading of the Bill when they would be better informed of the views of many Members of the House.

This was regarded as being a matter of great concern at a meeting of the Dublin Council of trade unions. When no reply was forthcoming from the Minister, a letter was sent to the Taoiseach and then the Minister replied.

That is not so. They were not replied to as a result of any letter sent to the Taoiseach. I remember replying directly to the organisation in the general terms of what I have said here.

There was no reply received prior to last weekend and it was decided at the meeting I have referred to, to take the matter up with the Taoiseach.