Climate, water and redress legislation
Deputy Catherine Murphy seeks timelines for climate, Irish Water, PPS-number and symphysiotomy redress legislation. The Taoiseach says the redress and climate Bills are progressing, while PPS numbers will be removed through forthcoming water legislation rather than a social welfare Bill.
Can I get an update on when we are likely to see the climate Bill? How many Bills will be needed to provide for the announced changes in Irish Water? When are we likely to see them? Will a specific social welfare Bill be necessary to remove the PPS number provisions in the existing legislation? Given that an amendment to that effect was ruled out of order during the debate on the current Social Welfare Bill, I presume another social welfare Bill will be introduced to make this change. When are we likely to see that Bill? I would also like to ask the Taoiseach about the symphysiotomy redress scheme. It is proving impossible for some women to abide by the four-week timeline under that scheme. Will the Taoiseach look at extending the deadline of four weeks for people to apply for the redress scheme? It is just not possible to get the medical evidence in some cases.
Comment on this
The redress Bill is being drafted. I will look at the four-week question that has been raised by the Deputy. The PPS numbers will be deleted over a period of weeks between Irish Water and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. It is not actually a social protection Bill.
Comment on this
The numbers as confirmed will be deleted and will be contained in the water Bill. It is not necessary to have a social welfare Bill in respect of that. The PPS numbers that were originally deemed to be required will be deleted. That will be contained in the water Bill. The climate change Bill is being worked on. I expect it should be published before the end of the year.