Referendum Commission and Supreme Court ruling
Mattie McGrath urged the Government to respect the Supreme Court’s ruling concerning referendum funding and ensure the future commission operated independently. The Taoiseach assured him that the Government would comply with the judgment.
I wish to ask the Taoiseach about two items of legislation, the first of which is the scrap and precious metals Bill. It has been promised twice by the former Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, and the current Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and it is important that it be enacted to give some strength to the Garda in tracing precious gold and scrap metal.
On the second item, given that the Cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss the referendum, perhaps it might get time to discuss the judgment of the Supreme Court on the manner in which the money appropriated by the House to run the children's rights referendum was mishandled. A sum of €1.1 million was misappropriated and it was never debated or discussed here in the House. There is never any recognition-----
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I have done so, but I get no answers. The Cabinet might get a chance to make sure the commission it will appoint will not be interfered with this time and will be let do the job it will be appointed to do and not be interfered with by the Government.
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No, the Taoiseach might consider it tomorrow; it is highly appropriate. Alternatively, he might pass it to his Minister of State.
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I can assure the Ceann Comhairle that the Government will act strictly in accordance with the decision and findings of the Supreme Court.
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It did not do so the last time. Will the Taoiseach answer my other question?