Mother and baby homes legislation
Deputy Rabbitte asked what form bespoke legislation for the Tuam mother and baby home announcement would take and whether it could be fast-tracked. The Taoiseach said new primary legislation would be needed, though some preparatory work could proceed, and added that in a minority government fast-tracking is difficult; Deputy Calleary then joked about money messages.
My question is on promised legislation and refers to what the Taoiseach said to Deputy McDonald earlier. With the announcement yesterday regarding the mother and baby home in Tuam, the Taoiseach said that bespoke legislation would be required. Will we need to amend legislation or will new legislation be drafted? Does the Taoiseach imagine that it will be fast-tracked in the first quarter of next year in order that it can be run in tandem with outsourcing the work that has to be done? The legislation should run parallel to this so that the people at the centre of this matter, who are aging, do not have to wait much longer for results.
Comment on this
This will be done by way of new primary legislation, which may involve amending some existing legislation. We want to avoid a situation where nothing happens until the legislation is passed, so we will try to do the things that can be done without legislation in place. Those areas requiring legislation will have to wait. Unfortunately, fast-tracking any legislation in the world of new politics is difficult. A lot of legislation is being held up because we do not have a majority Government, but that is the will of the people.
Comment on this
The Taoiseach could issue a few money messages; something might happen then.