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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Week's business arrangements

Summary

The Taoiseach responds to the business-arrangements debate, taking the issues in order and saying the Opposition requests may be better handled by committees or cannot be fitted into a packed week. The House then agrees the arrangements.

Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

I call the Taoiseach in regard to the proposed arrangements for the week.

Comment on this

I want to give due respect to those who raised issues as well, perhaps in the order that they raised them.

Comment on this
Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

In regard to the proposed arrangements for this week's business.

Comment on this

In response to Deputy Mac Lochlainn, that report is quite damning. I do not think we can change the order this week. As the Deputy knows, there is a wider issue of legacy. There was also the commemoration of the Teebane massacre last week and the relatives there are looking for closure, with no one brought to justice there. The issue of "Person K" clearly requires focus of attention. Therefore, I do not have an issue with a debate but I think we have to be even-handed in terms of the legacy issues because there have been a lot of terrible atrocities carried out and people have had no closure in respect of them at all. I will leave it to the Business Committee to work out the arrangements for such a debate.

In response to Deputy Tóibín, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has already said he is willing to come before the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

Comment on this

He should come to the Dáil Chamber.

Comment on this

On Deputy Mattie McGrath’s point, again, the best place for consideration of bail laws and the various issues he has identified and highlighted would be the relevant Oireachtas committee because, by definition, those are issues that we need detailed consideration of and reflection on. Many Members in the House would like to examine those issues but would rather do it in a detailed way. Maybe the relevant committee could take up that challenge in the first instance. Again, we have a fairly packed agenda this week and it may not be possible to include that this week.

Similarly, on Deputy Pringle's point, we can have a debate in regard to the Brandon report as soon as it can be arranged and scheduled but I do not think it will be possible this week.

In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, I understand the Business Committee has already agreed, or the Government has agreed, to the taking of a youth mental health debate next week. That is very important and I share the Deputy’s concerns. Therefore, that would be one we should all commit to doing next week. The Chief Whip has informed me that the Business Committee has already raised this issue. That should be facilitated and we will then see if we can accommodate the other requests that people have made.

Comment on this
Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

Are the proposed arrangements for this week's business agreed to? Agreed. On questions on promised legislation, I call Deputy Mary Lou McDonald. I ask Members to keep to the time limits.

Comment on this