Regarding protecting the rights of the child, the Government has been dragging its feet on a series of legislative actions. For example, there is no sign of the child care (amendment) Bill, which is supposed to bring much-needed reform to the guardian ad litem services used in Ireland, essentially giving a voice to the vulnerable child and protecting children at their most vulnerable in the courts. Others are the gambling control Bill, designed to deal with the issue of children and gambling, the affordable child care Bill and the Adoption (Amendment) Bill. These Bills comprise a suite of measures designed to deal with issues relating to child protection and child care. As the end of this Dáil session approaches, these items of legislation are nowhere near to being brought to a conclusion. That is a particular concern. When can we expect these legislative items to be brought forward?

I call the Taoiseach on child care legislation.

The Adoption (Amendment) Bill has been through the Seanad and Dáil, and the amendments now need to be taken back to the Upper House. That is listed to be done on 13 July. Last week, I spoke to the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, about the gambling control Bill, which is now very advanced. We hope to have that in the next session. As the Deputy says, having proper regulation in that area is long overdue. The heads of the child care (amendment) Bill were published in January and we anticipate that to be in for the next session. The affordable child care Bill has run into a number of difficulties, as Deputies will be aware. We had hoped to have that up and running for September. That will now not be the case. The child care subsidies are still being provided but this is being done through the existing schemes. We do not yet have a date as to when the legislation will go through. I anticipate that it would be done by the end of the year.

Deputy Micheál Martin seems to have changed his tune on judicial appointments since last week. He seemed to be quite happy with the procedure that he enjoyed whereby he could just have a private tête-à-tête with the Taoiseach on the relative merits of appointing-----

Questions on promised legislation, Deputy.

-----outside of any constitutional authority or any procedural regularity-----

The Deputy should not worry about it; she will be all right.

Questions on promised legislation, Deputy.

-----that I am familiar with. Those of us who support this legislation support it on the basis of modernisation, public confidence and accountability. The authorship of the legislation ought to be a secondary matter for anybody who cares about judicial appointments. I wish to raise this Bill with the Taoiseach because I am concerned about the issue of timing.

The Deputy is very worried about Councillor Paul Hogan in Westmeath.

We are now at the end of June and we will take Second Stage this week. Is it realistic to imagine that we will have all Stages of this legislation dealt with, allowing for amendment if Members so wish, and allowing the time and space for full consideration? I understand it is the Taoiseach's intention to have these matters dealt with before we rise for the recess. While Sinn Féin will support the spirit of the legislation we will debate the detail of it. We want to be assured that every Member has the opportunity to consider and amend what is essential and important legislative change.

As the Deputy is aware, debate on the Bill starts in the Dáil this evening. Nine and a half hours are being provided for Second Stage of the Bill, which is quite a lot. If it is possible for everyone to have his or her say in nine and a half hours, the Bill can then proceed to Committee Stage next Thursday and Report Stage the following Thursday.

And to the Seanad.

So, yes it is realistic that we can get the legislation at least through this House and into the Seanad before the recess. I am mindful of the comments of others. I do not want to see the legislation rushed through. If people want to have a third debate on it and to have amendments debated that should be allowed as well, but I believe it is within the capacity of this House to meet those deadlines. I do not think anybody wants the perception created that somehow the Bill is being rushed through. It has been a year in development already so it has not been rushed this far, and lots of time is being provided on Second Stage.