Jim O'Keeffe
Question:5 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach if he has satisfied himself that the Law Reform Commission has adequate resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Law Reform Commission.
I have satisfied myself that the Law Reform Commission has adequate resources. To that end I have consulted both the Attorney General and the President of the Law Reform Commission and they share that view.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the position in this regard will be kept under review.
Will the Taoiseach accept that there is a long delay in producing urgent legislation, such as that relating to occupier's liability? Will he accept that providing the Law Reform Commission with additional resources would assist it in completing its deliberations on such legislation? Will the Taoiseach accept that the Whitaker report published in 1985 proposed that there should be not only additional resources made available to the commission but that a separate criminal law reform commission should be established? Has the position improved for the Taoiseach to say the Law Reform Commission has adequate resources?
I expect to receive a report on occupier's liability from the Law Reform Commission by the end of this month.
That is just one example.
I do not accept there is a need for a criminal law reform commission. It is obvious from the number of Bills enacted by this House and the number which will be enacted shortly that we are dealing with a large number of Bills. I will not delay the House by reading out the number of Bills on the Order Paper today, the number already enacted and those which are coming through the system. If Deputy O'Keeffe is concerned mainly about the occupiers liability legislation, I assure him that we expect to receive a report from the Law Reform Commission in that regard by the end of this month.
Does the Taoiseach see any merit in having the Law Reform Commission work more closely with the committees of this House? Will he accept that there is a need to revamp the role of the Law Reform Commission so that it would be more effective in expediting the passage of legislation?
The Law Reform Commission is carrying out its functions. It deals extensively with many areas of criminal law and so on and publishes many reports. I have no concern in that regard. We have received much more product from them than those who went before us.
Product and nonsense.
We are not enacting legislation as soon as it appears on the Order Paper. Therefore, we should have no complaints.
We will dispose of the remaining question in the name of Deputy Harney.
I would be happy to have my question postponed until tomorrow. As we have gone over the time, we may not have adequate time for supplementary questions.
That is not unusual and if the House permits I wish to dispose of the remaining question to the Taoiseach.
On a point of order, will you, Sir, allow adequate supplementary questions?
I will allow the Deputy to ask some supplementary questions.
I am happy to postpone this question until tomorrow.
I see no justification for that when we can deal with it now.