Jim Higgins
Ceist:1 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will give details of the legislation, for which he is responsible, enacted by the Oireachtas which has not yet gone into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Implementation of Legislation.
There are no instances of legislation enacted concerning matters under the aegis of my Department which have yet to be put into effect.
Would the Taoiseach say whether the question has been tampered with? When tabling the question I did not use the words "for which he is responsible" because, ultimately, the Taoiseach is responsible for all legislation in this House. For example, on the Order of Business, legislation actually promised in the House only can be referred to and the Taoiseach responds to all questions in relation to legislation. I put it to the Taoiseach that he has access——
Please, Deputy Higgins.
Has not the Taoiseach access to all legislation governing all Government Departments because he is ultimately responsible therefor rather than shuttling it around between 15 Departments?
The wording of this question has been changed by the Dáil Office to enable the question to be put down to other Ministers. They are writing to the Deputy to explain the position. That is normal procedure.
I have asked this question before: is the Taoiseach not aware, for example, of the position obtaining in relation to the Child Care Act, 1991 in that care proceedings today, some ten months after the passage of that Bill, are still being implemented under the provisions of the Children Act, 1908; that essential features of that latter Act, particularly in relation to the supervision of pre-school services, in relation to children's residential centres have not been put into effect?
We are having a statement from the Deputy instead of a question. The Deputy knows full well the procedure at Question Time and should adhere to it.
Will the Taoiseach say when these vital sections will come into effect?
I understand from the Minister for Health that the Deputy has had a response to the question he has now posed. They are regulations, not legislation, about which the Deputy is speaking.