In July 2016 I brought a Bill forward entitled the Criminal Justice (Aggravation by Prejudice) Bill, in other words, a hate crime Bill. The Bill provides for the means of dealing with aggravation by prejudice relating to race, colour, ethnic origin or sexual orientation. This is a very important Bill. Crimes aggravated by hate are increasing all the time. The Bill went through pre-legislative scrutiny in the joint committee. Will the Taoiseach explain the reason for the delay in issuing an order? When is it expected that the Bill will be enacted?

Some work remains to be done on the legislation in conjunction with other legislation of a similar nature that has been published but not yet enacted. I propose to bring forward legislation on behalf of the Government that would incorporate issues that have been raised by Deputy O'Loughlin and in a similar Bill that was produced by the Labour Party. While it is my intention to see as much positive, constructive and reforming legislation as possible published at the earliest opportunity, I have in excess of 40 pieces of legislation in the justice area and I am subject to the House in terms of the ordering of priorities.