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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Pending health and heritage legislation

Summary

Deputy Adams asks for progress on the health-care facilities licensing Bill and the national monuments Bill. The Taoiseach gives a projected timetable for the national monuments legislation but no publication date for the licensing Bill.

Tá dhá cheist agam maidir le reachtaíocht atá forfhógartha. It is my firm belief that if more time were given to legislation such as the licensing of health care facilities Bill, which provides for the licensing of hospital and high-risk health services, a great many citizens would not need to resort to retrospective court action. Will the Government take the lead? Can we speed up the publication of the heads of the Bill? When can the Dáil expect to see these?

What is the timeframe for the introduction of the national monuments Bill? The Taoiseach previously said it was due in the middle of next year. However, that would leave less than a year at best to debate, pass and implement the Bill. We could anticipate that secondary legislation will also be needed. Could the Government prioritise this and commit to a new timeframe? Given that the leadership of many of the commemorative events has been quite rightly taken by others in civic society, such as the 1916 relatives, could the Government try to keep pace with this and expedite the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas?

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

The national monuments Bill is due mid-next year. I do not have a date for publication in respect of the licensing of health care facilities Bill. The Deputy will be aware that the calendar of events for commemorative matters for 2016 and beyond will be launched this evening in the General Post Office and the Deputy may wish to attend. Obviously the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, will outline the detail after having had extensive engagement with a range of organisations, agencies and individuals, including input from professional historians in order that there can be authenticity and inclusiveness in the centenary commemorations to be undertaken.

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