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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Apr 1977

Vol. 298 No. 10

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 27, 15 (resumed). Private Members' Business No. 4, by agreement, will be taken between 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.

I would like to inquire from the Taoiseach if the Government, having considered some of the aftermath of the Portlaoise hunger strike, will now say if there will be a formal, independent inquiry into conditions in the prisons.

The answer is in the negative.

Would the Taoiseach not agree that an inquiry on the lines I suggest would be very desirable in order to vindicate the good name of those loyal and dedicated officers of the State who do their duty in difficult and unpleasant times?

There is no need for that. If the people who are anxious for an inquiry were as anxious for the people injured and killed by some of those responsible maybe they would show more restraint in urging an inquiry.

Would the Taoiseach indicate when the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill will be circulated? May I remind the Taoiseach that on at least three occasions in this House we were promised information of the actual date on which the Bill will be circulated? Could he now indicate precisely when we will have it?

I cannot. I understand there were drafting difficulties but it is with the draftsman and being approved for drafting. When the drafting difficulties have been overcome, it will be circulated.

Would the Taoiseach accept that when one is told that there were drafting difficulties extending over a period of nearly two years one is inclined to wonder at the nature of the drafting difficulties and whether the problems might be of another nature?

If the Deputy views the record, he will find I indicated some short time ago that there were drafting difficulties.

The Taoiseach will accept that the Minister for the Gaeltacht has also made final promises in this regard. Would he accept that the time has come when he should make it clear to this House, if the House has been misled, that that was the position and if there are genuine problems we would be told what they are?

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