Bernard J. Durkan
Question:10 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform his legislative proposals for the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Government's Legislative Programme.
Legislative proposals which will receive attention during the next 12 months include: the Matrimonial Home Bill, which is at present before the Seanad having passed all Stages in the Dáil; the Adoptive Leave Bill, which was recently published; a Family Law Bill which will among other things enable the courts to make financial and property orders in support of spouses and children following the grant of a degree of nullity or a decree of judicial separation and the grant of foreign decrees of divorce, nullity and judicial separation which are recognised in the State; a Maintenance Bill, which will facilitate the recovery of maintenance payments in certain foreign jurisdictions; a Civil Legal Aid Bill, which will put the scheme of civil legal aid and advice on a statutory footing; a Amendment of the Constitution (Divorce) Bill, which is a prerequisite to the holding of the divorce referendum; a Domestic Violence Bill, which will amend and extend the present barring order legislation; an Occupiers Liability Bill, which will reform and update the law on occupiers liability; employment equality amendment legislation; equal status legislation, which will among other things deal with discrimination in education and the provision of goods, facilities and services; an amendment of the Interpretation Act, which will allow the feminine gender to be used, where appropriate, in legislation; stillbirths registration legislation, which will amend the law relating to the registration of births; and legislation to give effect to the EC Directive on Pregnant Workers.
The Minister has read out an impressive list of legislative measures which will receive attention during the next 12 months, but can he give the House any indication of the priority rating attached to the legislation outlined?
Each of the measures is important. I do not want to attach priority to any one of them; it would be invidious to do so. I have already informed the House, in reply to the previous question, that I intend to advance the legislation dealing with the stillbirth registration as quickly as possible. All other legislation will be advanced in accordance with the timescale of the Government, the Dáil and the Seanad.
Does the Minister believe that it is realistic to expect that all the legislation will be dealt with within a 12 month period?
It is difficult to answer that question. All I can say is that all the legislation is being dealt with at different levels within the Department and it is my hope and my intention to advance as many of them as possible as quickly as possible.
Given that he is responsible for the furtherance of rights, has the Minister put any pressure on the Government to introduce the long-awaited legislation relating to abortion information? It is his responsibility to discuss the matter with the Minister for Health to see if there is any delay or if problems are being encountered in formulating the legislation, in view of the fact that it is now almost one year since the referendum was passed and that we are in breach of our international obligations. Would the Minister care to respond?
As Deputy O'Donnell is aware, the legislation to which she has referred is a matter for the Minister for Health. I will have ongoing discussions with him and assist him in any way I can.
Ireland supported the EC Directive on Pregnant Workers some time ago. Will the Minister clarify if it is his responsibility to introduce the necessary legislation to ensure that we comply with the terms of that directive?
I can confirm for the Deputy that the implementation of that directive comes within the ambit of my Department. It has an implementation date of 1 October 1994.