Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The health Bill should be published shortly. I hope we will be able to deal with that important legislation at the start of the next session. The health Bill will provide for the establishment of the health information and quality authority and the office of the chief inspector of social services on a statutory basis. If the Whips can reach agreement, we would like to take the Bill at the commencement of the next session.

We are trying to make progress on a number of matters that are affected by North-South issues. In that context, I hope we will be able to make progress on the second matter to which the Deputy referred. However, I am not in a position to provide a date.

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