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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Victims’ rights and disability supports legislation

Summary

Michael Healy-Rae raises the victims’ rights Bill alongside Garda transport and cuts to disability home-help supports. The Taoiseach says work on the Bill is progressing and confirms funding for additional Garda vehicles; the disability-support concerns receive no substantive answer.

I wish to ask about two items of promised legislation. As regards the criminal justice (victims' rights) Bill, it has come to light that the Government's investment in the Garda transport fleet is €6 million a year, which is woefully inadequate.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Where are we going now? We are dealing with promised legislation.

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The guards cannot go anywhere without transport.

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I am referring to the criminal justice (victims' rights) Bill.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

That is fine.

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How can we have justice for people if the gardaí cannot go out to see them?

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

We will get an answer for the Deputy on that Bill.

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I have one more item.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Does it concern legislation?

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Yes, the Health Service Executive (financial matters) Bill. Why is the Government continuing to cut community-based supports for persons with disabilities that are contained in this Bill? We have had a reduction of 450,000 home help hours.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Deputy cannot go on with this.

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Some €1.7 million was also cut from the home care help scheme.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Deputy can ask when the legislation is due, but he does not need to make a speech about it.

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They are salient points.

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I have to build it up a bit, a Cheann Comhairle.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I know you do, but not on the Order of Business.

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In fairness, it is so that you know exactly what I am talking about.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I know exactly what you are talking about, do not worry.

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I also want the Taoiseach to understand what I am talking about.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

He understands all right. We hear it every morning.

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Whether he learns from it or not is another thing.

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Bernard Durkan Deputy Bernard J. Durkan Fine Gael

That is all right back home, but there is no construction up here.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I fully understand what Deputy Healy-Rae is on about. I can confirm that preliminary work has been done on the criminal justice Bill. I do not yet have a publication date but that work is proceeding. I can also confirm that moneys have been made available by the Minister for Justice and Equality to the Garda Commissioner for the purchase of further vehicles for the Garda Síochána, including motorcycles.

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Maybe he could get the helicopter brought down too.

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