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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Justice Department legislation backlog

Summary

Deputy Ó Cuív challenged the pace of promised legislation, citing several long-delayed Bills from the justice and regional portfolios. The Tánaiste replied that many Bills had already been progressed and that three more would come to the House the following week.

Is prelegislative scrutiny becoming an excuse for doing nothing? I wish to ask the Tánaiste about all other legislation relating to her Department. We have the sale of alcohol Bill, the heads of which were approved in 2012. We have the transfer of sentenced persons Bill and the transfer of execution of sentences Bill, the heads of which were approved in 2013. We have the Tailte Éireann Bill, the heads of which were approved in January 2015 agus i gcás an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, agus feicimid an tAire Stáit, Teachta Kyne, anseo, ceadaíodh cinn an Bhille in 2014 ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla ach níl tada eile ag tarlú ach na cinn ag dul ag na gcoistí, iad a cheadú agus, ansin, lánstad. When can we expect to see real legislation rather than an endless series of heads being put forward to the House but nothing happening for years afterwards?

Comment on this

Deputy Ó Cuív could equally have referenced the 15 Bills published by my Department and progressed last year or the ten that have been published since this Government was formed. Clearly, there have to be priorities. We are moving forward on an extraordinary range of legislation from the Department of Justice and Equality. That is evidenced by the three new Bills that will be brought to the House next week from the Department.

Comment on this

They are all being worked on. To give a fair and comprehensive overview of the work of the Department, Deputy Ó Cuív could equally have quoted the 25 Bills that have been progressed.

Comment on this