The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 aims to bring much needed reform to our immigration and asylum systems. The Minister for Justice and Equality indicated in the middle of last year that he hoped to bring a revised Bill to the Government before the end of 2013. Can the Taoiseach report any progress on this much needed and long overdue legislation?

A Bill was published a number of years ago which is now awaiting Committee Stage. However, I have been informed that the scale of amendments being submitted is such that the Minister for Justice and Equality is considering drafting an entirely new Bill. I will give the Deputy on update on that as soon as possible but so many amendments have been tabled that it may be impractical to proceed with the Bill in its current form.