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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Privacy and judicial council legislation

Summary

Deputies ask when privacy and judicial council legislation will be introduced. The Taoiseach says a privacy Bill is already before the Seanad and will be reviewed, without providing a clear timetable for either measure.

Last week, the Minister, Deputy Shatter, spoke about the need for a privacy Bill to be introduced. We do not think such a Bill is needed at this time. Can the Taoiseach tell the House when the Government intends to introduce the legislation in question for debate? Second, can he say when the judicial council Bill, which will provide for a complaints procedure with regard to judicial behaviour, will be introduced?

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

Much of the stuff that the Deputy's party did not think was necessary should have been done a long time ago. I suppose that is one of the things that has the country the way it is.

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Many of the Minister's Cabinet colleagues do not think a privacy Bill is needed.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

There is a Bill before the Seanad. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, has given a commitment to review the matter again.

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There were no wonderful ideas coming from the other side of the House when we were in government.

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Bernard Durkan Deputy Bernard J. Durkan Fine Gael

There was no mention of these issues when the Deputy's party was in government.

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Can the Taoiseach clarify the matter? I did not hear what he said.

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The Deputy could not hear because the Taoiseach was being shouted down.

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The Minister was slapped down by unions last week.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

There is a Bill before the Seanad.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

The privacy Bill.

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Will the Government bring it before the House?

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

It is before the Seanad. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, has committed to reviewing that Bill.

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What does that mean?

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