Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach told us yesterday that the health inspectorate Bill 2006 would put the social services inspectorate on a statutory footing. There is no such Bill included in the Government's legislative programme. The Bill that appears to provide for health inspections is the health Bill, which will not be published until 2007, no doubt after the general election. I want clarity on this issue. Will we see health inspections put on a statutory footing in the manner indicated by the Taoiseach before Christmas or will the matter be put on the long finger and not appear until some time in the distant future when we are in the throes of an election?

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