Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I wish to raise two items. There are three weeks remaining in the session. According to the legislative programme, 16 Bills were promised for publication during the session. Four have been published. Does the Tánaiste feel like old mother Hubbard and that there is nothing in the legislative cupboard? Is that the problem? Certainly committees are idle. Legislation that is urgently needed includes the hepatitis C compensation scheme Bill, which the Taoiseach promised every effort would be made to deliver during this session. I cannot think of any issue more important than the effect contaminated blood products had on people's health.

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