The promised legislation about which I wish to ask is the Children First Bill. Will the Taoiseach advise whether the Bill provides for mandatory reporting? An issue arose in my constituency recently when many parents were unhappy about the level of supervision afforded to 38 children who went on a school trip to County Donegal. An investigation recently took place involving the principal of the school and, apparently, he stepped aside during the course of the investigation. Many parents and others are concerned about the level of abuse in the case.

We cannot discuss the issue now.

I have spoken about the matter of mandatory reporting in the Dáil on a couple of occasions. I am interested and anxious to know whether it will be provided for in the legislation I have mentioned.

The Deputy has been an advocate of this issue for some time. A great deal of work has been done on the Children First Bill which was supposed to come through the House before the summer recess. Given the pressure on legislation, I cannot see it actually making it through. I think it will be taken early in the next session.

Will the Taoiseach indicate whether mandatory reporting will be included in the Bill?

That is a matter for the debate on the legislation when published. We cannot debate it now.

Will the Taoiseach come back to me on it?

I will.