Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I wish to raise two items. Perhaps in preparation for the session after the summer recess, the Ceann Comhairle, in his position as Chairman of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, might have the inadequate acoustics in this Chamber addressed. On several occasions, it has been impossible for Deputies located in different locations in the Chamber to hear the Chair. An example of that was this morning in regard to tomorrow's Order Paper. I was unable to hear what the Ceann Comhairle proposed and, belatedly, I must record that I oppose it. Those are the facts of the matter. I record that I would have opposed the proposition in regard to the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009 and will do so again at any opportunity open to me.

In regard to the expected publication of a new schedule of legislation by the Government in September, can special efforts be employed over the summer recess to address the significant backlog in promised legislation from the Department of Health and Children? I speak specifically about long promised legislation about which the Government stated it is not possible to indicate when publication will take place.

I am concerned about two Bills, in particular, the Nurses and Midwives Bill and the eligibility for health and personal and social services Bill. Each of these is hugely important and I appeal to the Government not to produce a promised programme of legislation in September which will again confine this important legislation to the margins, not to be realised for God knows how long.

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