Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I have two brief questions for the Taoiseach. First, will he agree that a concern of people who get involved in voluntary projects is the concept of litigation? Second, we have a very good scheme in Wicklow called the first responders which deals with volunteers who assist people who suffer cardiac arrest. The scheme has proved very successful. They are covered by the Department of Health and Children clinical indemnity insurance. We are trying to expand the project to include sporting, mountaineering and canoeing clubs but one of the drawbacks is legislation that acts as a defence for those who try to assist people in good faith. Does the Taoiseach agree that legislation to indemnify members of the public in such circumstances would be useful? Fine Gael's Good Samaritan Bill 2005, which is on today's Order Paper, deals with this issue. It will not cost anything and will not offend anybody.

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