Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I am only getting started. Does the Tánaiste intend to bring in a Supplementary Estimate to ensure that there will be sufficient funds for dealing with the accident and emergency crisis which she has so far failed to do?

With regard to the legislative programme, the Tánaiste has indicated there will be a new Bill concerning nursing home charges that will come into effect shortly. As it does not seem to appear, where is this in the legislative programme?

Why is there such a major drift in the legislation for which she is responsible? In September 2004, the alcohol products (control of advertising, sponsorship and marketing practices/sales promotions) Bill was promised for early 2005 but was changed to late 2005 in the most recent legislative programme. The medical practitioners Bill was promised for early 2005 but, according to the recent programme, has been moved to early 2006. The adoption — Hague Convention, adoption authority and miscellaneous provisions Bill — was promised for 2006 but is now scheduled for mid-2006. Despite what the Tánaiste claims, it is not possible to tell from this programme when the nurses (amendment) Bill will be ready. The same applies to the pharmacy Bill, which was promised for 2005. Neither is it possible to determine when the Voluntary Health Insurance board (corporate status) Bill, to which the Tánaiste referred when discussing the case of Vivas Health on 13 April, will be ready, even though it was promised for 2005.

See this speech in context