The Children First Bill 2014, which has been promised since this Government took up office, will put the Children First guidelines on a statutory footing, thereby making the non-reporting of child abuse an offence. Given the revelations of this week and prior to Christmas, that legislation should be progressed through both Houses of the Oireachtas as a matter of priority. It is important that all Members are given an opportunity to contribute to the debate on that legislation to ensure that, when enacted, it provides tough sanctions for non-reporting of child abuse, which enables people who carry out this heinous crime to continue to prey on vulnerable children. The legislation is not listed for debate in the summer session. The Government should review the legislative programme and ensure this legislation is enacted as a matter of priority.

According to my information, that Bill is awaiting Committee Stage, which is a matter for the relevant committee.